THE FAI ARE in talks to take on Italy in an international friendly in May.
With no competitive fixtures until the Euro 2016 qualifiers get underway in September, Martin O’Neill plans to assess the options at his disposal in a series of games this year.
And four-time World Cup winners Italy have been lined up as opponents for a friendly on 21 May, which would take place outside Ireland at a neutral venue with a number of European cities currently being looked at.
It will be the first time the teams have met since Euro 2012, when the Azzurri won 2-0 in Poznan.
There is also a possibility of a home game four days later on 25 May while suggestions that a US tour has been pencilled in are premature with talks ongoing.
Ireland will learn their Euro 2016 qualifying group opponents on 23 February when the draw is made in Nice.
