The Trapattoni Index - McClean makes late claim for inclusion

3 May 2012 11:00:00

With the Ireland squad announcement just days away, which fringe players have been impressing for their clubs to put themselves in contention?

ANALYSIS
By Ronan Murphy

Giovanni Trapattoni names his Ireland squad for Euro 2012 on Monday at 1530 GMT. The Italian's cryptic announcement that a squad member is set to pull out of the tournament has led to widespread speculation that James McClean has finally done enough to merit inclusion.

1 Robbie KEANE
	Club: Los Angeles Galaxy Position: Striker Rested for last night's loss to Seattle Sounders, LA Galaxy forward Keane has won over many fans Stateside with his attacking play. The Ireland captain will be the first name in Trapattoni's squad.

2 Damien DUFF
	Club: Fulham Position: Winger Helped Fulham beat Liverpool at Anfield, and the winger could easily see his side overtake them in the table with just a few games remaining. On form at exactly the right time for Ireland.

3 Shay GIVEN
	Club: Aston Villa Position: Goalkeeper Two clean sheets in a row for Aston Villa, pulling off a wonder save at the end of the match against West Bromwich Albion. Saves like that are sure to help his confidence ahead of Euro 2012.

4 Richard DUNNE
	Club: Aston Villa Position: Defender Back in the Villa starting line-up after his shoulder injury. The return of the 'Iron Curtain' is fantastic news for Giovanni Trapattoni and Ireland.

5 John O'SHEA
	Club: Sunderland Position: Defender Almost scored his first goal for Sunderland with a header against Bolton, but saw his effort barely miss the target. Looked comfortable on the ball once again.

6 Keith ANDREWS
	Club: West Bromwich Albion Position: Midfielder Introduced as a late substitute against Aston Villa, but did not have enough time to make his mark. Has been linked with Sunderland, after showing he is still cut out for Premier League football.

7 Aiden McGEADY
	Club: Spartak Moscow Position: Winger Spartak need two wins in their last two games to have any hope of making the Champions League next season, and will be hoping McGeady can create some magic for them on the wing. Played two full games for the Moscow side this week, and his falling out with manager Valeri Karpin seems a distant memory.

8 Glenn WHELAN
	Club: Stoke City Position: Midfielder Tony Pulis chose not to rest the midfielder, despite earlier claims he would. He was rewarded with Whelan putting in a determined performance against Arsenal, helping Stoke to a point.

9 Sean ST LEDGER
	Club: Leicester City Position: Defender Started Leicester's last game of the season, helping them overturn Leeds United at Elland Road. Looks sharp ahead of Euro 2012, where he will partner Richard Dunne in the centre.

10 Stephen WARD
	Club: Wolves Position: Defender A point for Wolves against Swansea is too little too late for the Midlands club who are already relegated. Ward will be hoping for quieter evenings in the Championship next year, as the sides played out an eight-goal thriller.

11 Kevin DOYLE
	Club: Wolves Position: Striker Another player hitting form at the right time, Doyle didn't find the scoresheet on Saturday, but was the provider for two of Wolves' goals and generally caused trouble around the Swansea penalty area.

12 Stephen KELLY
	Club: Fulham Position: Defender Missed Fulham's league game on Saturday, where they lost 4-0 to Everton. Returned to the lineup on Tuesday, and Fulham kept a clean sheet against Liverpool. Coincidence?

13 Shane LONG
	Club: West Bromwich Albion Position: Striker Started again for West Brom, but the whole team were poor against Aston Villa and he was offered little support up front. Still a contender for a starting spot.

14 Keiren WESTWOOD
	Club: Sunderland Position: Goalkeeper Unsure of his standing at Sunderland, with Craig Gordon getting a run-out against Bolton, but will be glad that his rival didn't have the best afternoon between the sticks. Guaranteed his spot in the Ireland squad however.

15 Jon WALTERS
	Club: Stoke City Position: Striker Saw Cameron Jerome come off the bench to snatch a point against Everton, while Walters himself looked ineffective before being withdrawn. Not looking as sharp as he did at the start of the season, and finds himself slipping down the rankings.

16 Keith FAHEY
	Club: Birmingham City Position: Midfielder Hopes to be back in action for the playoffs after a couple of weeks on the sideline with a groin injury. Back in training with the Blues, so should be fit in time to make the Ireland squad.

17 Darron GIBSON
	Club: Everton Position: Midfielder Forced off injured at half time against Fulham, and missed the Stoke game as a result. However, the club are reporting it as a minor knock and he could be back in the lineup this weekend.

17 Darren O'DEA
	Club: Celtic Position: Defender Suspension ended his season at Leeds United early, but he still should be on the plane, as Damien Delaney is probably his only rival for the last centre-back spot.

19 David FORDE
	Club: Millwall Position: Goalkeeper Trapattoni is likely to pick Forde over Randolph due to his greater international experience, but it's unlikely that he will see any game time in Poland.

20 Stephen HUNT
	Club: Wolves Position: Winger Expected to be back in action before the end of the season, Hunt needs to return to fitness soon if he's to make the 23-man squad.

21 Simon COX
	Club: West Bromwich Albion Position: Striker Another afternoon on the bench for Cox, but he could be given more opportunities next season under a different manager.

22 James McCLEAN
	Club: Sunderland Position: Winger Trapattoni has said the Sunderland sensation is 90-99 per cent certain of making the squad, and after another excellent performance, it's easy to see why he's taking the risk.

23 Kevin FOLEY
	Club: Wolves Position: Defender Foley's versatility should help him take the last spot on the plane, especially as he has been a first team regular at Wolves in recent weeks.

James McCarthy - Wigan - Midfielder - Trap has earmarked McCarthy as one for the future, so perhaps he's not one for the present and will miss out.

Paul Green - Derby County - Midfielder - With McClean set to be included, Trapattoni could leave McCarthy and Green at home, while using Fahey as central cover in their place.

Seamus Coleman - Everton - Winger - Back on the bench for Everton, and unlikely to receive a call-up.

Ciaran Clark - Aston Villa - Defender/ Midfielder - Clark's versatility, like Foley's, keeps him in contention but after an injury-plagued season he will probably miss out.

Damien Delaney - Ipswich - Defender - Needs an injury to one of the regular centre backs to make it, but shouldn't be ruled out.

Darren Randolph - Motherwell - Goalkeeper - Should be playing Champions League football next season which will help him make the World Cup 2014 qualifying squads.

Andy Keogh - Millwall - Winger/Striker - Scored again at the weekend, and is a late contender. Will probably be named on the standby list.

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