O’Neill admits playing Sean Maguire would be a risk

It seems that Sean Maguire’s first call-up to the Ireland squad is highly unlikely to be followed by the former Cork City striker seeing action in next month’s games away to Georgia and home to Serbia.

The Preston North End striker was named in yesterday’s provisional squad for the World Cup qualifiers, but manager Martin O’Neill played down the Kilkenny man’s prospects of being fast-tracked into the team.

“You’re gonna ask me could I throw him into some of these games here,” he said. “I don’t mind taking a chance, but I think that would be risky not only for us but maybe for the lad himself.