McCarthy frets over McAteer

GARY KELLY is standing by to deputise for Jason McAteer if the winger is not fit for Ireland’s World Cup opener against Cameroon tomorrow. McAteer is one of several players whose fitness will be monitored carefully before Mick McCarthy finalises his team selection.

Ireland go into competition with a relatively young squad of players - Steve Staunton and McAteer are probably the only two who will start against Cameroon who played when Ireland last qualified for the finals in USA 1994.