Ireland For Ireland?

Last updated : 10 May 2014 By Footy Mad - Editor

The 27-year-old Stoke midfielder's name was conspicuous by its absence when manager Martin O'Neill named a provisional 32-man party for games against Turkey, Italy, Costa Rica and Portugal later this month and into June.

However, O'Neill, who is yet to sit down with Ireland to discuss a possible return to the international stage, has hinted that he could yet be drafted in as he assesses his options ahead of the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, which gets under way in September.

O'Neill said: "I've no issue with Stephen Ireland, slate is clean. If he wants to play again, I'd rather hear from him but if he doesn't want to, fine."

Skipper Robbie Keane, who was excused from the 2-1 friendly defeat by Serbia in Dublin in March, returns, but the LA Galaxy striker may not feature until the United States leg of the Republic's schedule.

Ireland face Turkey at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, May 25 and then head for London to play Italy at Craven Cottage on Saturday, May 31.