Get McClean on the plane to Poland and Ukraine

Giovanni Trapattoni has announced his Republic of Ireland squad for their upcoming friendly with Czech Republic and unbelievably James McClean, one of their most exciting young prospects for years, has been left out.

McClean’s choice to represent the Republic over Northern Ireland surely paved the way for Trapattoni to pick the in-form Sunderland player who has found the net four times since December for Martin O’Neill’s resurgent side, including against Arsenal on Saturday.

However, Trapattoni has backed his old guard for the clash at the Aviva Stadium on February 29 after already saying the players who helped Ireland qualify for Euro 2012 deserve to go to the finals.

Frankly, that’s a ridiculous stance to take. Surely the next England manager won’t ignore late surges from the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain?

Trapattoni’s team face a testing time at Euro 2012 against Spain, Italy and Croatia, and to make the quarter-finals will likely require a Herculean effort. A raw talent like McClean could be the secret weapon Ireland need.

What if McClean continues to have a stormer for the rest of the season? Then will the Italian take notice? The Sunderland man has to be in the next squad and more importantly on the plane in the summer even if it is at the expense of someone like Keith Andrews, as hard as that may seem for Trapattoni.