O’Neill waits on McCarthy, Whelan

Martin O’Neill is prepared to play the waiting game on Glenn Whelan and James McCarthy as the two midfielders look to prove their fitness for Friday night’s Euro qualifier against Scotland in Celtic Park.

While the injury Whelan sustained against Germany was initially described as a leg fracture, sources now suggest it was more of a chipped bone, which would help explain his much faster than anticipated recovery.

And the news that McCarthy was judged by the Irish squad team doctor not to require a scan on his suspect hamstring must also be an encouraging sign though he will continue to be assessed on a daily basis.