James McClean ‘tweak’ raises Irish fears

The initial word on why James McClean sat out Irish training yesterday didn’t sound too serious — the West Brom man had a “tweak” in his back.

But later, and before the player had a scan on the problem, Roy Keane revealed his own troubled gut feeling about the nature of what could turn out to be a significant new injury worry ahead of Saturday’s World Cup qualifier away to Austria.

“It’s not good,” said the assistant manager. “I never like when I hear players with tweaks in and around the back area. The back — it’s not a good area. If you said to me he got a kick on his knee or his ankle, that’s fine. But tweaks in backs... I don’t like the sound of it.”

With forwards Shane Long and Daryl Murphy ruled out of the weekend’s game, McClean’s two goals in last month’s qualifier in Moldova suggest Ireland might have even more reason to rue his potential absence in Vienna.

“Listen, we remind him every time we work with him, James has got to be more of a goal threat,” said Keane, as he reflected on the Derry man’s progress in the green shirt.

“He’s obviously mature, he’s learned about the game, and he’s getting regular games in the Premier League so, unless you’re a real idiot, you will improve as a player. I think you’d have to be a right clown to go backwards as a player if you’re surrounded by good players and playing in the Premier League.

“So, yes, James has stepped up. In the last few games he’s been more of a threat, and he put the ball in the back of the net in the last game. And we keep reminding James, particularly if he’s playing wide and the ball’s on the other side — get in that box.”

Keane said McClean picked up the back problem in training at West Brom. “Apparently he was doing some work at his club,” said Keane. “He was suspended for the weekend and lads sometimes go in and do a bit extra.”

And then, with deadpan delivery, he added: “I suppose the plus was he didn’t get injured on our watch so we can’t get the blame for it.”

In other squad news, John O’Shea — who is ”making good progress” in his recovery from a hamstring injury, according to Keane — was due to arrive in camp last night, while Eunan O’Kane, who sat out training with a groin problem, should be “alright” in a day or two.