Tardelli confirms Cox in frame to start on left against Sweden

Giovanni Trapattoni is still pondering a solution to the Aiden McGeady problem, with Simon Cox now in the frame to start on the left flank in Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Sweden tomorrow night.

In a training selection at Malahide yesterday which featured most of tomorrow’s likely starters, it was Cox who got the nod ahead of James McClean in that position and, afterwards, assistant manager Marco Tardelli talked up the Nottingham Forest man’s credentials.

Asked if Cox was an option to start against Sweden, the Italian said: “Yes, I think. I don’t know who we’ll play against Sweden but Simon Cox for me is a very good player. He can play left, right, striker and maybe also midfield. A professional player who has played in the Premier League must be able to play anywhere. He is good on the left but I don’t know whether he will play there against Sweden.”