Injury rules McClean out of Ireland duty

Sunderland winger James McClean will miss this Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Germany this Friday after straining his hip flexor muscle.

The 23 year-old Black Cats’ winger has been ruled out of the clash in Dublin this week after undergoing a scan on Wearside.

Derry-born McClean could yet be ruled out of the Republic’s fixture against the Faroe Islands in a week’s time.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni said:

‘I can’t speak as doctor – I am manager. But muscle injuries need time, time, time.

‘You don’t want a player to play 10, 15, 20, 70 minutes and then have a hamstring injury again. I don’t want to take risks.

‘It’s very important, this game. We also need to make our three substitutions to change the game, not because of injuries from before.’

McClean joins four other players on the treatment table, with Sean St. Ledger, Richard Dunne, Kevin Doyle and Glenn Whelan all ruled out.

Black Cats’ midfielder David Meyler has been included in Trapattoni’s squad and could make his first competitive start in midfield after making his Ireland bow against Qatar last month.

John O’Shea meanwhile looks set to shift to the centre of defence with first-choice pairing St. Ledger and Dunne ruled out.

Keiren Westwood is also included in Trapattoni’s squad for the double-header.