O’Neill keeps McClean in firing line

Martin O’Neill will resist any temptation to take James McClean out of the firing line in a significant vote of confidence for Sunderland’s Republic of Ireland midfielder.

McClean is set to play his 15th consecutive game since earning a first start on New Year’s Day, as the Wearside club travel to Everton today bidding to earn a place in the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2004.

The 22-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise since arriving from Derry City seven months ago, getting his debut from O’Neill before Christmas and getting international recognition from Giovanni Trapattoni.