GLENN WHELAN WILL be given every opportunity to prove his fitness ahead of next week’s Euro 2016 Qualifier against Scotland but Stoke manager Mark Hughes insists he is not yet match-fit.
The midfielder hasn’t played since sustaining a broken leg during last month’s draw with Germany but has been given permission to join up with Martin O’Neill’s squad next week.
Hughes has revealed Whelan has yet to return to full training but the club will allow the FAI to decide whether he’s involved at Celtic Park or not.
Hughes is adamant next Friday’s game in Glasgow is too early for Whelan to return but acknowledges the significance of the Group D qualifier.
“As a club we don’t think he is ready but I know Glenn absolutely wants to be part of the Ireland team, it’s really important to him so I’m sure he will meet up with them and it’s up to the Irish FA to make the right decision,” Hughes said.
“Ireland are probably within their rights to call him up but our view is that he’s not ready. If we had a game this time next week he wouldn’t be playing for us because it would be too soon and it would be too much of a risk.”
Whelan is part of the 36-man squad for next Friday’s qualifier and the friendly against USA four days later. O’Neill is expected to cut the panel after this weekend’s games before the players convene in Dublin on Monday.
With Wes Hoolahan already ruled out and Darron Gibson struggling for fitness, O’Neill will be anxious to fast-track the player’s recovery process. Hughes, however, hopes the FAI medical staff will make the right call and not rush the player back too early.
“I think out medical department have talked to their doctor just to give an update but we haven’t tried to influence that decision as yet, it’s up to the Irish FA to really look at it and make the correct call on it.”
Seamus Coleman, meanwhile, sat out Everton’s Europa League win over Lille last night after sustaining a cut to his Achilles. It was originally thought the defender was given a rest after only recently returning from a heal injury but Roberto Martinez revealed he picked up the injury in last week’s game against Swansea.
Coleman will be assessed by the club’s medical staff before the Toffees’ trip to Sunderland this weekend but the news of his latest injury will give O’Neill reason to sweat.
Martinez claims he “wouldn’t consider it a real issue”.
