IRELAND MANAGER GIOVANNI Trapattoni has given his strongest hint yet that Paul McShane could make the plane to Poland.
Speaking about the defender’s chances of being part of the squad travelling out to the training camp in Italy prior to the tournament, he said:
“He will probably come with us because we need one more. We may take 25 to Italy.”
Asked about McShane’s chances of subsequently making the final squad for Poland, he said:
“I can ask him then, but before that, we have Hungary.
“Hungary is a very difficult game and maybe we need to give the 23 before.
“Only with injury, we can decide to change or not.”
The Italian manager has until May 29 to announce his final squad, while he can make also changes prior to Ireland’s opening game on June 10 provided they are ratified by a committee of UEFA doctors.
He also suggested that he is considering calling up other players on the standby list.
“Delaney, Paul McShane – we have other substitutes and they have been contacted.
“We have called them in case we need them, Paul Green also. But we have time to evaluate the situation.”
McShane has already been called up for the friendly against Bosnia this Saturday.
And despite having to deal with a number of injury worries, the Ireland manager did receive some good news today, after it was confirmed that Shay Given would be fit for the tournament.