Giovanni Trapattoni has hinted that Sunderland star James McClean could be handed his first competitive start for the Republic of Ireland in their World Cup qualification clash in Kazakhstan on Friday.

Giovanni Trapattoni has warned Darron Gibson that there are plenty of other midfielders queuing up to take his place in the Republic of Ireland squad should the Everton player decide to prolong his exile from the international arena.

THE morning after the night before, and Giovanni Trapattoni had his happy face on when he met the media in a city centre hotel yesterday to review the narrow win against Cyprus and reflect on where his Irish team goes from here in World Cup qualifying Group 8.