PAUL McSHANE’S hopes of making the Republic of Ireland squad for this summer’s European Championships appear to be over.
The Reading captain, 30, had been named in boss Martin O’Neill’s provisional 35-man team for the games, which kick-off in France next month, only to be placed on standby in what is a blow for the 31-times capped defender.
Cardiff City’s Anthony Pilkington, Aberdeen winger Jonny Hayes and another former Royals favourite, Alex Pearce, now of Derby County, join McShane in being omitted from the squad.
This would suggest these players are, therefore, not in O’Neill’s thinking for the competition.
All four, however, have been told to put any further plans on hold for the time being, as they could yet make the tournament should others miss out through injury or otherwise.
The quartet will be joined by a further eight players not making the tournament when boss O’Neill trims his group down to the 23 permitted for the competition on Saturday.
Royals team-mate Stephen Quinn, meanwhile, remains with the squad and could be involved when the Boys in Green take on the Netherlands this Friday in a Dublin friendly.
– DANNY WILLIAMS started and played all 90 minutes of the United States’ 3-1 victory over Puerto Rico in a warm-up friendly ahead of the Copa America.
The US are in action again this Saturday, hosting Bolivia in another exhibition fixture in Kansas.
