McCarthy recalls O'Neill

Mick McCarthy's put his faith in Keith O'Neill again yesterday when he recalled the Norwich player to his squad for next Wednesday's European Championship meeting with Yugoslavia at Belgrade.

O'Neill is preferred to Wimbledon's Mark Kennedy and the uncapped Gareth Whalley gets the midfield vacancy occasioned by the withdrawal of Lee Carsley.

If Kennedy is entitled to feel disappointed, the luckless O'Neill had even more valid claims for inclusion in the travelling party.

His injury problems over the last 15 months are well documented, but through it all McCarthy has remained loyal to the youngster who made such an impact when he teamed up with David Connolly in the front line during the summer tour of America in 1996.

Thus when the Ireland manager went to Carrow Road to watch him in action in the 2-2 draw against Bradford last Saturday, he was delighted to discover that the player's latest comeback is progressing on schedule.

"He only got on as a replacement in the second half but it was enough to convince me that he is playing some of the best football of his career," said McCarthy. "He's had his problems but far from discouraging him, they have merely had the effect of making him more determined to succeed.

"I think it is an indication of our depth in talent down the left side of midfield that Mark Kennedy can't get into the squad. But he's good enough to play his way back into the side at some stage in the future," said McCarthy.

It is a boost for O'Neill, who is currently paying the price for refusing to sign a new contract with Norwich with Mike Walker reluctant to put him in his starting line-up.

"They are annoyed that I refuse to commit myself at this stage, but I'm just as determined to keep my options open until my current contract runs out at the end of the season," he said.

"I've enough self-belief to know that I can play at a higher level of club football. There have been enquiries in the past and I hope to play well enough for the rest of the season to ensure that I maintain that interest.

"It's another reason why I want to be involved and do well for Ireland. International football opens doors for players and if I get the chance of playing in Belgrade, I aim to make the most of it."

Ironically, McCarthy's interest in O'Neill was largely responsible for Whalley's unexpected promotion. The man who joined Bradford from Crewe during the close season made a big impact on the Ireland manager against O'Neill's Norwich last Saturday. With Carsley injured, McCarthy had little hesitation, it seems, in summoning Whalley.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, the manager intimated that Carsley's loss will not change his match plan, a statement which suggests that Roy Keane will now be deployed directly in front of the two central defenders in the role he fills so effectively for Manchester United.

That invites the question of who will partner Mark Kinsella in central midfield in what is certain to be a 4-5-1 formation. Jason McAteer is obviously one of those in line for the vacancy and depending on emphasis, Alan McLoughlin and Rory Delap may also merit consideration.

After agonising at length on Phil Babb's fitness, the manager has included the Liverpool defender. Given the player's shortage of match practice, it amounts to something of a gamble and in this instance McCarthy's insistence on implementing FIFA's five-day release rule may work against him.

Babb could benefit from staying at Liverpool and making himself available for next Saturday's meeting with Leeds United. McCarthy takes the point but is not prepared to risk the backlash from other clubs if he makes an exception.

"Phil could do with a couple of games under his belt, but if I were to allow him to stay with his club next Saturday, it would be unfair on other clubs who are complying with FIFA's rule," he said.

"Some of them are not too happy about losing important players and I well understand their feelings. Equally, I'm convinced that if they were in my position, they would do exactly as I've done."

David Connolly, available again after serving a two-match suspension, replaces his injured Wolves club-mate Robbie Keane and with Dennis Irwin returning to action there is no room for Tottenham's Steve Carr.

Jason Byrne, a cousin of Robbie Keane, is called into the under-21 squad for the first time. The Bray forward is joined by two other players uncapped at this level, Richard Dunne from Everton and Brian Barry Murphy of Cork City.