Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton is deciding whether or not to  pencil in an end-of-season friendly or take a large squad away on a training camp.

Staunton, of course, faces three crucial European qualifiers between now  and then but plans are already afoot for a pre-summer get-together ahead of the resumption of competitive games next September.

There are two dates earmarked in June for friendlies but Staunton feels both come too long after the conclusion of the English league season.

"The dates that are coming back to me are June 2nd and 6th," he says. "Our players will be finished for a month to five weeks, those playing  in the Championship. Those playing in the Premiership that don't get to  the FA Cup final (May 19th) will have at least four weeks off before  that. I don't see any benefit in that whatsoever."

A late May friendly also remains a viable option but Staunton could  favour another training camp overseas.

Last May he took a 30-strong squad to the Algarve in Portugal and should  another such trip materialise, he envisages bringing an even larger  squad of both senior and B internationals.