Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill believes Blues striker David McGoldrick adds something “a wee bit different” to his squad. On Thursday, the 28-year-old, who returned to action in the final weeks of Town’s season having been out since December with a hamstring injury, was named in O’Neill’s 35-man provisional squad ahead of the Friday 27th May friendly against Holland in Dublin.
O’Neill says McGoldrick "has got a lot of talent” and can link up play and isn’t in his squad just for the sake of it.
"No, [it’s] because he has got back into the side,” he said. "I went down to watch Ipswich play and I knew that Daryl [Murphy] wouldn’t be playing in the game but there was a chance that McGoldrick would play.
"He has played a number of games now. I thought that the first half in the game against MK Dons he was exceptional.
"I thought he did very well, scored a goal, got a bit of confidence from that.
"He is very good at linking play. It’s really his fitness. He is getting a little run of games now. Hopefully he will be involved in our squad anyway. He will definitely be with us [for the Holland friendly].
"He does add something a wee bit different. It would be his fitness that I would have to take into consideration.” Meanwhile, on-loan Blues defender Matt Clarke missed Portsmouth's 2-2 draw with Plymouth in the first leg of their League Two play-off semi-final at Fratton Park on Thursday. The 19-year-old is considered a doubt ahead of Sunday's second leg at Home Park as he recovers from a groin injury. Elsewhere, former Blues boss Joe Royle and ex-Town loanee David Unsworth will be in charge of Everton for their final game of the season against Norwich at Goodison Park on Sunday, manager Roberto Martinez having been sacked on Thursday. Unsworth is the U21s coach at Goodison Park, while Royle works with the Toffeemen's academy players.
O'Neill with his assistant, former Town boss Roy Keane
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