O’Shea cools fitness fears

Republic of Ireland defender John O’Shea has moved to allay any fears that he is struggling to be fit for Euro 2016 this summer.

The Sunderland player has been suffering with a calf problem during recent months and he has not started a league game for the Black Cats since the 2-2 home draw with Crystal Palace on March 1.

The former Manchester United player has been an unused substitute in Sunderland’s last two matches, to further raise concerns regarding his fitness, but the 35-year-old has now revealed that he is fully fit to play for both club and country when called upon.

He said: “There are no problems, I am fully fit and raring to go. That injury is fully cleared up.”

O’Shea admits that he is slightly concerned about his lack of match action ahead of Euro 2016, but he understands that Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce does not want to tinker with a side that has only lost one of its last eight matches.

He continued: “The only thing now is a little bit of frustration in not playing for Sunderland at the moment. But it’s one of those things that the manager spoke about when he came to the club. He said that whatever situation occurs and someone gets into the team and does well, then they will stay in the team.”

O’Shea will be hoping to earn a starting berth for Ireland at Euro
2016 this summer, with Martin O’Neill’s side set to face Belgium, Italy and Sweden in Group E of the competition.

The Irish are available at 11.00 to finish top of their group, while they are on offer at 2.20 to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition.