McClean a major doubt

With Robbie Keane having proved his fitness by scoring an audacious goal for LA Galaxy on Sunday, James McClean is now the main injury concern for Ireland ahead of tomorrow night’s friendly against Oman and Sunday’s Euro qualifier in Georgia.

The Wigan man, who suffered a hamstring injury last month, was restricted to non-contact training at Malahide yesterday. And although Wes Hoolahan, John O’Shea, Jonathan Walters, Marc Wilson and Joey O’Brien all sat out the session, team doctor Alan Byrne indicated there were no serious injury concerns about the players.

Meanwhile, Martin O’Neill yesterday strongly hinted that Everton’s Darron Gibson, who missed almost an entire season following a cruciate ligament surgery, will make an appearance against Oman, his first for Ireland since he suffered the injury against Kazkahstan last October.