Source: Daily_Mail
John O'Shea joins Ireland camp after United's Champions League final defeat
ShareManchester United defender John O'Shea is set to hand the Republic of Ireland a welcome boost and report in fit for Euro 2012 duty.[LNB]But the utility man, whose fitness is crucial as Ireland prepare to head to Skopje this weekend without the suspended Richard Dunne, is unlikely to train for most of the build-up to this weekend.[LNB]O'Shea was officially reported injured on the Champions League Final team sheet on Saturday night, and left off the bench as United crashed to Barcelona at Wembley. [LNB] Reporting for duty: John O'Shea (far right) has a minor injury and will have to be assessed before the weekend[LNB]The defender has a slight hamstring injury which will be assessed and treated throughout the week. [LNB]He is one of a number of players due to report for the final qualifier of the season on Monday and bolster Giovanni Trapattoni's Carling Nations Cup winning squad.[LNB]Stoke midfielder Glenn Whelan was at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday night to see Robbie Keane claim his record-equalling 49th Ireland goal. He is expected to be declared fit to face Macedonia.[LNB]Aiden McGeady, who played in his side's 3-0 defeat to Zenit St Petersburg yesterday, is also due in, along with centurion Kevin Kilbane, fresh from Huddersfield's devastating League One play-off defeat, and Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson, who was also a suited and booted by-stander at Wembley. [LNB]Preston defender Sean St Ledger continues to defy the sceptics who have opted out of this week's tour of duty and, after returning from his club where he received further treatment to a knee injury, he was again on the bench Sunday night.[LNB]His fitness will also be continually monitored throughout the week, and he is due to have a final fitness test on Wednesday, with a decision made on his participation ahead of Thursday's flight to Skopje.[LNB]Injured: O'Shea missed United European Cup final[LNB]With reinforcements on their way, and a first trophy in a quarter of a century claimed, Trapattoni was in buoyant mood, and his ranting and raving after Tuesday's victory over Wales was long forgotten.[LNB]The Ireland boss said: 'There are no problems. O'Shea is good, I hope he can play in the last game, and he will come in. They were having a party after the game but he will come in immediately. We have others to come too, McGeady, Kilbane, Gibson, Whelan and then, after Monday (Reading's Championship play-off final against Swansea at Wembley), Shane Long.[LNB]'We will see how St Ledger is in the next training session. We wish to take him to Macedonia but we need to see if he is fit and his condition is right. He says he is good but he has missed the games. We have three days in training to decide.' [LNB]Keane's first-half strike saw off a spirited Scots side who struggled with a combination of Shay Given's excellence, poor finishing and shambolic refereeing from Mark Whitby.[LNB]The Irish captain's low strike, which appeared to deceive Rangers keeper Allan McGregor, took his Irish total to 49, equalling Bobby Charlton's British and Irish record. He is now 14th in the all-time FIFA listing.[LNB]And Keane may have his eye on claiming a half century at the weekend, but Sunday night's victory, and the over-the-top celebrations in front of just 25,000 at Lansdowne were just as important last night.[LNB]'The most important thing, like in any international game, is to get a win and get the confidence up,' said Keane.[LNB]'All you want to do is come into a camp and get that confidence, two wins in a week will do that.'[LNB]Trapattoni could only take positives from last night's success too.[LNB]He added: 'When we play with this disicipline and attitude we can achieve any result. I am confident in the players and I trust them. We can go to Macedonia with more confidence and trust to achieve a good result.'[LNB] Republic of Ireland 1 Scotland 0: Keane proves he is a bobby dazzler for TrapattoniShape up or ship out! Keane tells Ireland's wavering stars to commit to the cause [LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Shay Given, Robbie Keane, Kevin Kilbane, Aiden McGeady, John O'Shea, Richard Dunne Places: Barcelona, Republic of Ireland, Wales, Ireland, Macedonia
