Wes Hoolahan and Jonathan Walters look set to start for the Republic of Ireland against the Faroe Islands on Friday night, if the indicators at Giovanni Trapattoni’s training this morning were as reliable as usual.
The Norwich City midfielder, after an impressive showing against Georgia on Sunday, was among those earmarked for a start in the end of session game at Malahide’s Gannon Park today.
Glenn Whelan partnered him in midfield, with Simon Cox and Aiden McGeady on the flanks. Séamus Coleman was at right-back, with Marc Wilson on the left and Seán St Ledger alongside John O'Shea in the centre of defence.
Walters played up front with captain and soon-to-be record caps holder Robbie Robbie Keane.
The only doubt, it seemed, was goalkeeper David Forde, who sat out the game, but is expected to make the cut.
The Millwall man has been struggling with a calf injury since the 1-1 draw with England last Wednesday, but goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly is hopeful that he will join in with the rest of the group tomorrow.
“He’s coming on. The doctor and the medical staff have done a fantastic job,” Kelly said. “He did a bit of work with me, he’s been in the gym this morning and he’s looking to train fully tomorrow.”
On that evidence, one man who might count himself unlucky not to be pencilled in for a start is James McClean, whose two assists in the 4-0 win over Georgia hinted he may have turned a corner after a disappointing season.
“It’s been a difficult season for me at club for me,” he readily admitted today. “Hopefully I’m going to put that behind me now and push on here with the Ireland squad. The other day gave me a bit of confidence with the two assists, so hopefully if called upon I can do a job.”
When it was put to him that the preceding training game suggested he would not be called upon from the start of the World Cup qualifier, at least, he added: “The manager has to decide who is in his team, and whoever is not in that team is going to be disappointed, but the important thing is that they’re all ready if called up and hopefully we can get three points because that’s all that really matters.”
The Derryman has endured his fair share of controversy in recent times and accepts he’s made life difficult for Trapattoni, former Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill and his successor Paolo Di Canio.
“Looking back I probably haven’t been the easiest to work with for them, but I’ve taken that on board and I’ve matured a bit and hopefully it that’s behind me.”
McClean is preaching caution ahead of the Faroes game, one that, on paper, looks a mere formality.
“You got to look at their players as if they were playing in a top side. I think if you don’t give them the same amount of respect then it can come back to haunt you. We’re well aware that we have to give 100 per cent. There’s no difference.”
