Martin O’Neill leaves door open for Damien Delaney

Martin O’Neill has firmly placed Damien Delaney’s international future in the player’s hands by suggesting he won’t rule the Corkman out of his Euro plans if “he’s an interest in playing” for Ireland.

The Ireland manager was left perplexed by Delaney’s decision to withdraw from his squad ahead of their May 2014 trip to the US, subsequently questioning the player’s “enthusiasm” for representing his country.

For Delaney’s part, a statement last August outlining his reasons for quitting international football seemed to end any prospect of a return.