It’s time to get the rosary beads out.
Martin O’Neill has named a 39-man squad for the two games with Bosnia next month that will decide our Euro 2016 fate.
The only man missing from the squads that faced Germany and Poland last month is Stephen Quinn, who’s ruled out through injury.
That means that Shane Long is in the squad, thankfully, despite picking up a an ankle injury in the loss to Poland earlier this month.
The Southampton man is struggling for fitness, and when asked today if the goal-scoring hero from 1-0 win over Germany would be fit for the November 13th and 16th clashes, the O’Neill wasn’t exactly brimming with confidence.
“Shane is improving. I spoke to him last week and he’s optimistic – but then he’s always optimistic. I think it will be touch and go but for us it would be great if he was available.”
The news on John O’Shea is equally disappointing, as the Sunderland man tore his hamstring in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Newcastle.
The Waterford native is suspended for the first leg against Bosnia anyway and O’Neill feels the centre-half may struggle to feature at the Aviva for the second leg.
“It’s a Grade 1 hamstring. All hamstring injuries are a concern but this is less concerning than if it was a Grade 3. Only time will tell, but it might be tight going.”
