McClean tipped for top

Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill has backed James McClean to make Giovanni Trapattoni’s squad for the Euro 2012 finals.

O’Neill admits he hadn’t heard of the 22-year-old Derry-born midfielder when he took charge at the Stadium of Light but has been wowed by the youngster since then.

“I think he’s more than capable of going,” O’Neill enthused of a player who has started the Wearside club’s last seven games, playing a significant role in their renaissance since being handed his Premier League debut in December’s victory over Blackburn.

Having yet to make a senior appearance for the Republic since switching his allegiance from the North, McClean will have to go some way for his club manager’s words to be proved prophetic, finding himself behind a significant array of talent for the wide left slot. However, to simply be name-checked by such an astute judge in relation to Trapattoni’s summer plans shows how far the winger has come in a short space of time.

“I don’t know Mr Trapattoni and haven’t spoken to him at all,” O’Neill added, clearly mindful of being seen as trying to pick the Italian’s side in the lead up to the finals, in Poland and Ukraine in June. “I’ve got great regard for what he’s done in his career, and I’m sure he’ll have the players he wants to stay loyal to, those who’ve got him through thick and thin. Somebody fresh like James wanting to get in might be difficult. But could he go there on merit? Absolutely. I don’t see why not. I believe he’s a hero back in Derry already. He only had to make his debut for us for that to happen.”

Trapattoni is keeping close tabs on McClean, who came to the notice of O’Neill with standout display for the reserves against Manchester United shortly after he took charge. Despite being capped at U21 level by the North, McClean has decided to throw his lot in with the Republic, and his manager added: “I think they (the Irish camp) have been to watch him. They came to the Chelsea game last month. Hopefully, he’s making such an impact he’s being watched by someone in the Ireland camp in every game, even if it’s not Mr Trapattoni himself. They couldn’t fail to be impressed.”

McClean, who is pushing for inclusion in Trapattoni’s squad for the friendly against the Czech Republic in Dublin at the end of the month, has taken his newfound fame in his stride, the onset of writer’s cramp at the increased number of autograph requests the only slightly taxing issue so far for a player signed by Steve Bruce for just £350,000 from Derry City in August. O’Neill added: “Off the pitch, he’s a very quiet lad. His family were over for the Middlesbrough game recently, and he took them out for a meal afterwards. I think they’re all very appreciative of what’s happened to him.

“He’s made a bigger impact than any of us could have imagined. The number of clubs we’ve been to this season who’ve said they were close to signing him is quite remarkable. They all say the same thing, but we were he ones who got him, and we’re pleased we did.”

Sunderland’s Irish keeper Keiren Westwood is set for a first start in six weeks at Stoke with Simon Mignolet struggling with a knee problem. “I’d no problem putting him in,” O’Neill insisted of the 27-year-old, a summer free transfer from Coventry. “Keiren was unlucky to go out of the team through illness, and Simon has come back and done brilliantly.”