O’Neill warns suitors off prized asset McClean

Martin O’Neill has issued a hands-off warning to clubs looking to prise James McClean away from Sunderland.

Manchester United have been credited with an interest in the Derry ace but manager O’ Neill says he would advise the player to stay put on Wearside.

“We’ve just given a new contract to James, who is worth every single penny out of it, there’s no question about that,” said the Black Cats boss. “His attitude has not changed one drop.

“If I was advising him, his immediate future has to be at our football club. He’s going to play pretty often at the moment. I would love to be able to say to him that his place is in jeopardy. But he holds that place on merit and he’s still just learning the game.

“If we are going to progress, these are the players the fans want to see, the likes of McClean and [Stephane] Sessegnon who both belong to us.”

Wolves winger Stephen Hunt, the Irish player whose Euros place could be under threat from McClean, has undergone groin surgery and is expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks.

Hunt has been troubled by the problem in recent weeks, one which relates back to a hernia operation he underwent 14 months ago. But Wolves are hopeful he will be able to resume light training next week and return to first-team contention later in the month.

Manager Terry Connor said: “Stephen looks like he will be out for two to three weeks so I think he’ll be back before the end of the season. It’s always touch and go but the medical people are quite optimistic that he’ll be back within two to three weeks.”

Steve Kemp, who is head of the club’s medical department, added: “The surgery was extremely successful and, even within a few hours post surgery, Stephen is reporting alleviation of some of the symptoms he’d been suffering.

“We’re confident the operation will resolve all the issues and, providing all goes well, Stephen should be able to return to some form of training by the end of next week. That will give him a good chance of being available for Wolves for the majority of the rest of the season as well as being available for selection for Ireland for the European Championships.”

Meanwhile, the FAI has announced that it will provide 150 free tickets to the small number of fans who intend to travel to Hungary for the friendly match in Budapest on June 4.

Most supporters travelling to the Euro finals intend to make their way directly to Poland where the squad will arrive on June 5, while only a small number are expected to travel from Ireland to Budapest. The Association said it is making this gesture to thank these fans for their loyalty. For supporters who have not yet been in touch with the ticket office, there are still a limited number of free tickets available. Requests can be made to [e-mail].

The FAI also announced yesterday it has received written correspondence from the Football Federation of Kazakhstan, stating their 2014 World Cup qualifier against Ireland on September 7 will take place in Astana, the country’s futuristic new capital which has been described as “a space station in the Steppes”. However the FAI is recommending supporters who intend to travel await official Fifa notification of this venue before making final flight arrangements.