SUNDERLAND DEFENDER JOHN O’Shea has been cleared to join up with the rest of the Ireland squad next week.
The 31-year-old limped off just before half-time during Sunderland’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester United at the Stadium of Light yesterday, sparking concerns about his fitness for Euro 2012.
However, after having a scan on his ankle this morning, the Black Cats have confirmed that he will arrive in Dublin on Monday ahead of the friendly with Bosnia Herzegovina at Lansdowne Road next Saturday.
Sporting Life report a spokesman as saying: “John suffered a knock to his ankle in training prior to the Fulham game, which he aggravated slightly in Sunday’s game against Manchester United.
He was taken off as a precaution and following positive results from a scan last night, he will meet up with the Republic of Ireland squad as scheduled next week.”
After the Bosnia game, they head to Italy for a training camp, then face Hungary in a final warm-up on June 4.
O’Shea is one of the most experienced defenders Giovanni Trapattoni has at his disposal and is a certain starter in Ireland’s opening game with Croatia on June 10 if fit.
