To get out of Group E, the Republic of Ireland will require a little bit of heroism.
And who better than Ireland’s play-off hero, Super Johnny Walters, to provide that spark in France?
The Stoke forward became a cause for concern for Martin O’Neill when he limped out of training in Cork after receiving a kick to his calf and, with less than two weeks to go until Ireland’s Euro 2016 opener, fans were getting worried.
But Walters, who has 10 goals in 39 international appearances, has given a positive update during an interview with the FAI on Saturday in which he revealed that he is optimistic of returning to training next week.
“I had an operation on my knee about seven weeks ago and when you come back you have secondary things,” Walters explained. “I had a little bit of tendinitis in both achilles and on the training ground it flares up a little bit, you just have to settle it down.
“You don’t want to push through it and then go into next week, the week leading up to the game pushing yourself through it. If you have a chance, settle it down, which we did for a couple of days and that’s what I’ve done.
“I have just been working in the gym the past couple of days, pretty tough and looking to go ahead again on Monday training.”
Robbie Keane, O’Neill’s other fitness worry, is also expected to ease back into training next week despite remaining a doubt for Ireland’s tournament opener which comes against Sweden on June 13.
The LA Galaxy striker is struggling with a calf injury but should resume work with the squad starting next week.
