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.

However, Dunne himself is being carefully nursed after getting a blow to the knee in training earlier in the week and, yesterday, his input in training was restricted to set-piece practice.

Minor injury worries Robbie Keane (foot), Caleb Folan (knee), Shay Given (hip) and Glenn Whelan (calf) all took some part in yesterday’s session.

They will train this evening at the match venue, the Vassil Levski national stadium.

Meanwhile, Bulgaria coach Stanimir Stoilov has suffered another injury blow. Mihail Venkov sustained a knee injury in training to join fellow defenders Zahari Sirakov and Alexandar Tunchev on the sidelines. Gritty midfielder Stanislav Angelov (groin) also remains doubtful.

Bulgaria are third in the group with seven points from five matches. Italy top the standings with 14 points from six matches followed by Ireland on 12.

“We know Ireland will be searching for a positive result and I expect a very tough encounter,” Stoilov said.