Heimir Hallgrímsson: James McClean was in our thoughts but Wrexham playing time has been limited

LACK OF ACTION: James McClean's lack of minutes at Wrexham denied him Ireland recall. Pic: Cody Froggatt/PA Wire.

James McClean’s sparsity of gametime at Wrexham cost him an Ireland recall for the problem left-back position, according to Heimir Hallgrímsson.

Injuries to Robbie Brady and Callum O’Dowda, along with the suspension of Ryan Manning, leaves Ireland with a gaping cavity to fill against Portugal’s star-studded attack on Thursday.

The Icelander also ruled out uncapped Josh Honohan on injury grounds despite the Corkman making his comeback in Shamrock Rovers’ FAI Cup final win over his hometown club last Sunday.

That acute shortage contributed to wildcard US-born Kevin O’Toole receiving his first call-up at the age of 26 but it would be a stretch to believe the New York City wide player can step in for his debut marking Bernardo Silva.

McClean retired in 2023 on 103 caps but hasn’t ruled out reversing a decision if the call came.

Although Hallgrímsson admitted in June he’d spoken to the 36-year-old after he’d gained promotion to the Championship with the rising tide of Wrexham, recent exposure has counted a comeback.

The Derryman hasn’t started a game since the September defeat to QPR and only returned last weekend from a hip injury in a substitute’s cameo.

“James was in our thoughts,” confessed Hallgrímsson. “It was just that his playing time has been really limited. But he was in our minds and we talked about him, yes.”

Rather than be alarmed by the paucity of alternatives to the absentees, he indicated either Celtic’s Liam Scales or a right-back switching flank would be deployed.

“There's quite a few options,” he stressed.

“We've used this Dara O'Shea, for example, probably in all positions. Scalesy had played there, Séamus Coleman has played there (for Everton).

“Kevin O'Toole has been brought in as a left-back, so there are a few options. We've been talking about working on.”

Other selection dilemmas revolve around the replacement for Evan Ferguson up front and the midfielder to partner Josh Cullen.

Jack Taylor has been rerouted from an advanced midfield role at Ipswich Town to a holder and may be reinstated. How Ireland’s need for a result alters throughout the contest looks to be a factor in the selection.

“Jack has been in our squad so knows how we want to play,” said the manager.

“He’s been playing at Ipswich and it's good for him to have games under his belt. He had been struggling with rhythm at his club but now has games and knows what we expect.

“We’ve attacking midfield options too who can change the game.

“Finn Azaz got man of the match for Southampton recently – a really creative, link-up player – but still time needs to understand when and where his teammates are running.

“He’s been a little inconsistent for us but once he is on it there’s not many players as good as him.”