McShane a doubt for Bulgaria clash

THE Irish squad arrived in Sofia last night with assistant manager Liam Brady describing Paul McShane as the visitors’ biggest injury doubt ahead of tomorrow night’s World Cup clash with Bulgaria.

The Sunderland full back shipped a knock in a training ground challenge involving Shane Long on Tuesday and will need to be assessed by the Irish medical staff today.

With Giovanni Trapattoni tipped to reshuffle his back four, McShane was already an unlikely starter, and the expectation is John O’Shea will start at right-back with Sean St Ledger partnering Richard Dunne in the centre of defence.