Walters enters frame for Spain

Jon Walters is in the running for a starting place against Spain on Thursday as Giovanni Trapattoni goes in search of “redemption” after Ireland’s opening night defeat against Croatia.

The manager admitted yesterday that starting the Stoke player is one change he is contemplating for the Republic’s make or break game against the reigning world and European champions, with Kevin Doyle the player most likely to make way.

Alternatively, Trapattoni might opt for Simon Cox as the second striker, alongside Robbie Keane, with a dual mandate to help bolster midfield.

If the proposed change is carried through, it would be tough on Wolves striker Doyle who was arguably Ireland’s best player for the guts of the hour he was on the pitch in Poznan on Sunday.

However, Walters certainly impressed with his ability to hold the ball up and retain possession when he came on with just over 30 minutes to go, and it seems that Trapattoni is now leaning towards him as a viable candidate for a starting place in Gdansk.

Speaking after a light training session back at their Gdynia base on the Baltic Sea coast yesterday, the manager said: “Maybe, after reflection, I can maybe change one player. But it would be out of necessity because of Spain’s superior technique not because the player replaced has performed badly. We can adapt ourselves with players we have. Remember (Andy) Keogh against Italy? The idea is that the second striker can also help midfield. So we just use somebody differently. Maybe Jonathan can show us this situation. His physical strength is a factor. That is one idea. But there are also others who can do the double job. For example. Cox is one who can help. I will think more about what is the best option.”

One thing Trapattoni made crystal clear is that, despite criticism of the skipper’s performance against Croatia, Robbie Keane will not be dropped.

“Keane is a very important player for us,” said Trapattoni.” Not only is he our captain but he has personality, gives us time on the ball and the opponent has respect for him. Robbie plays with experience. He thinks about what happens. Also in this situation we need strength. We know this.”

Meanwhile, Trapattoni has been busy picking his players up. The manager said that, after a night’s reflection, he had come to the conclusion that the result was flattering to the Croatians and that, had a couple of contentious decisions gone Ireland’s way, the game would have hung much more in the balance.

“They killed us in two minutes,” he said. “Croatia were superior in midfield, yes, but without two or three situations, we played well enough to get a 1-1 draw.”

He also explained his decision not to turn to James McClean when Ireland were chasing the game.

“I have a duty. It would be his first competitive game. Even experienced players can feel tension in this situation so you can understand how much more tense a young player can be. It’s important we give the young players the quiet opportunity to impress. Not when we need a performance under pressure.It’s a heavy weight on his shoulders.”

But, more than anything, yesterday, Trapattoni wanted to stress to his players that they’re at the Euro finals on merit and that they still have an opportunity for redemption.

“I reminded them of what they did to achieve this qualification and also how well they have played against important teams, like Italy,” he said.

“I reminded them we deserved to achieve this qualification.

“We have the good quality, our quality. Maybe we don’t have the creativity of other teams but we are here in the Euros with our qualities.

“We must continue to believe because no one team is always superior to another. In 90 minutes anything can happen.

“I have to give them the opportunity for redemption now. Of course, they are disappointed but they have to believe. We must think about this.

“We have 90 minutes and 90 minutes still to play. And usually our team plays its best against the famous teams.”

The players who featured against Croatia did only stretching exercises yesterday, with the exception of Aiden McGeady who asked to play in the small-sided game involving the rest of the squad (and helping make up the numbers, a rather pedestrian Marco Tardelli).

Darron Gibson was rested with a tight leg muscle while Richard Dunne, who was said to be suffering from blisters, spent most of time down near the dug-out conversing with former international Jason McAteer, who is in Poland covering the tournament for Al Jazeera.