Decision time looms for Trap

Giovanni Trapattoni admits he still has a couple of big selection decisions to make before he decides on his 23-man squad for the European Championship finals.

Visiting Ireland’s pre-tournament training camp at Montecatini in his native Italy yesterday, the manager said: “I have two or three decisions to make. [James] McCarthy, [Seamus] Coleman, players like that. McCarthy played on Wednesday against Manchester United and United lost. His team are improving.”

Asked if James McClean was now closer to claiming a place, Trapattoni replied: “I said it was important to give a chance to the players who helped us achieve qualification, but I also said it was important to leave one or two spaces for the new group, the next generation and sure there is a possibility for players like this.”