VIDEO: We’ll have to think about playing Wes Hoolahan for both play-offs, says Martin O’Neill

The coaches for the Republic of Ireland team will have to think about playing midfielder Wes Hoolahan for the whole 180 minutes of their Euro 2016 play-offs against Bosnia.

After the furore surrounding his curtailed involvement in the Poland game, the big question now, of course, is whether Hoolahan will, if his manager requires him, be able to see out both legs of the play off against Bosnia, beginning with tonight’s game in Zenica.

Hoolahan has confirmed that he told Martin O’Neill he was struggling, ahead of Ireland’s final European Championship group game against Poland last month, having played 90 minutes with a heel injury in the famous win over Germany in Dublin.

However, Hoolahan has trained this time round and the Norwich playmaker seems to be in O’Neill’s plans, although the manager does seem to be prepared to use his full squad.

O’Neill said: “In terms of Wes Hoolahan playing two games, I think that is something we have to discuss and think about. We will have to try and utilise our players, including Wes, as best as we possibly can.

“We have two very, very important matches for us as a nation and you don’t want to start pre-empting things that might not materialise.”

As for Hoolahan himself, he is confident that he can contribute to the effort.

“Hopefully, we’ll see how the games pan out and see how it is,” he said.

“I have no concerns. I’ve come back here and have trained all week. The last time I didn’t train at all. Hopefully I’ll be alright.”