From the indo
STEVE STAUNTON has claimed he was on the verge of including rising defensive star Paul McShane in the starting line-up for Ireland's horror show in Cyprus before advice from international consultant Bobby Robson influenced a change of heart.
The West Brom defender was subsequently drafted in due to injuries and suspension to play a man-of-the-match role in the 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic four days later, which led many observers to question if the Wicklow lad should have been included in Nicosia ahead of the out-of-sorts Andy O'Brien.
And Staunton admitted yesterday - while naming his squad for next Wednesday's European Championship qualifier with San Marino - that McShane was in contention to start in the 5-2 defeat to Cyprus, only for a rethink aided by input from Robson, who was recovering from brain surgery and missed the trip.
Impressed
"He (McShane) had impressed all week in training and was very close to playing in Cyprus but after chatting to Bobby Robson we went with our strongest back four," said Staunton.
"Unfortunately we all know what happened on the night and you'd swear the four of them had never played together in their lives, but that's life, you've got to get on with it.
"It went badly for our back five, and I'm not singling out any individual. I thought the back five as a unit weren't up to scratch but I've seen that Andy is back and played against Manchester United for Portsmouth.
"He's obviously doing something right so it's down to him. The more games he gets the better, for his confidence as well as everything else," he added.
McShane and O'Brien are included in the 23-man squad Staunton has named for the visit of the Group D whipping boys to Lansdowne Road next Wednesday.
Casualty
However, one high-profile casualty is Paddy Kenny, who missed the Czech game after keeping goal for the thrashing by the Cypriots. Staunton said yesterday that the player's well-documented personal problems had also been a factor in his exclusion.
Shay Given is back in the squad after his miracle recovery, although Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder says he will have to prove his fitness at club level first, even if the Irish manager believes it will take a "brave man" to stop the Donegal native coming to Dublin.
"Shay is looking forward to it. We'll assess him in training and see how it goes before we think about starting him," said the Louth man.
"Wayne (Henderson) has come in and put himself in the shop window by doing so well. I always said if people come in and take their chance they will be rewarded."
One youngster who will have to wait for his opportunity is Falkirk's Anthony Stokes, whose goal-scoring feats while on loan from Arsenal have taken Scotland by storm.
The 18-year-old missed out on the senior cut and was included in Pat Devlin's 'B' squad for the game with Scotland at Dalymount Park next Tuesday.
Yet there could be problems with his involvement in the game as Stokes is on club duty in a Scottish Premier League match against Hearts the previous night.
Another member of Devlin's squad with a similar dilemma is Kevin Deery - one of four eircom League players included - who has a crucial Premier Division match with Waterford United on Monday.
"We can just name them in the squad and whatever happens after that we will just have to deal with," said Devlin. "We want them here and that's it."
Daniel McDonnell
