Stephen Ward looks to give boss selection headache

For someone who has struggled with serious injury, seen his club relegated and his place in the Irish team occupied by Robbie Brady, you could understand if Stephen Ward was a less-than-happy camper on his return to the international squad. 

So it’s entirely to the Burnley full-back’s credit that when he chooses to emphasise the importance of the collective over the individual, he comes across as wholly sincere.

“I’m happy to be here and if I can get a run-out, I can give the manager a headache,” he says.