- Paul Fennessy reports from Versailles
STEPHEN WARD HAS emerged as a doubt for the France game, after the player picked up an ankle injury during Ireland’s most recent match with Italy.
Speaking at a press conference this morning, assistant boss Roy Keane confirmed there were “question marks” over the Burnley player’s fitness after he didn’t take part in training today.
Ward’s absence would be a blow after he produced a solid display in defence amid Ireland’s historic win over the Italians.
However, if he’s not available for Sunday’s match, manager Martin O’Neill faces a number of options for a replacement.
Robbie Brady started Ireland’s opening game against Sweden at left-back and has played in the position several times for his country in the past.
Nevertheless, Brady has been criticised previously owing to perceived weaknesses in the defensive side of his game, while he showed against Italy that he has plenty to offer the team in midfield, so putting him in the back four would likely lessen his attacking influence.
Other options include Cyrus Christie. The Derby man is predominantly a right-back, though he has played on the left before for his club, and Martin O’Neill has suggested in the past that he has considered playing Christie in the role. If Christie does play, he would become the 20th member of the Irish squad to be used at Euro 2016 — Shay Given, Keiren Westwood and David Meyler are the only other players who have yet to see any game time at this tournament.
John O’Shea played regularly as a left-back in the early days of his career both at club level and for Ireland, though at 35, there are bound to be doubts over whether he still has the pace and energy required for the role.
Similarly, Ciaran Clark is another being touted as a possibility for the role. The Villa player, who started Ireland’s opening two group games at centre-back before being dropped ahead of the Italian clash, is another with the experience of playing as a full-back in the past.
With that in mind, what do you think? If Ward is injured, who should play left-back for Ireland against France?
