O’Neill opens Euro 2016 door

Republic of Ireland head coach Martin O’Neill says there are still places available in his Euro 2016 squad but time is starting to run out.

The Irish were made to work hard to book their place at the tournament this year after being drawn in a qualifying group that included world champions Germany, Poland and Scotland.

O’Neill’s men managed to clinch third place to make the play-offs and they overcame a strong Bosnia side 3-1 on aggregate over two legs.

The battle for places in the final squad is now firmly under way and several players will be hoping to finish the season strongly to book their spot on the plane to France.

Ireland take on Switzerland and Slovakia over the international break and the two games offer the chance to impress the management team.

However, O’Neill has revealed certain areas of his squad are pretty much decided right now barring any late injuries.

Robbie Keane, Shane Long, Jonathan Walters, James McCarthy, John O’Shea and Seamus Coleman are all expected to make the final cut after playing crucial parts in qualifying.

O’Neill is expected to experiment in the upcoming double-header and says it is a chance for the fringe players to stand up and be counted.

He said: “There are one or two players there who have shown their worth in the qualification games to me and to themselves and to the nation and barring injury, there’s a really great chance of them going, obviously. But there are other places up for grabs.”

The Republic, who are 151.00 to win Euro 2016, have been drawn alongside Belgium, Italy and Sweden in Group E and they are 13.00 to top it.