McClean tipped to make Euros

James McClean: Tipped to make Euros

Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has revealed that Sunderland winger James McClean is '90 to 99 per cent' certain to make the Euro 2012 finals.

The 23-year-old only made his full Premier League debut earlier this year, and did not play any part in Republic of Ireland's qualifying campaign.

Trapattoni has always stated his loyalty to the players that got them to Poland and Ukraine, but after making his international debut in February against Czech Republic, McClean looks to have done enough to seal a place in the squad.

Trapattoni told the Irish Independent on Sunday McClean has a "90 to 99% chance of going to Poland."

Trapattoni will name his 23-man squad in little over a week's time.

He received a boost on Saturday when central defender Richard Dunne started Aston Villa's 0-0 draw at West Brom on his return from a fractured collar bone.

Trapattoni, who has monitored 32-year-old Dunne's progress since misfortune struck in February, said: "I was worried. I said, 'Be careful, we need you'.

"He will be important for us. All players in the squad are important, but especially Richard Dunne. For us, he is one of the strongest."