Ireland manager Martin O’Neill has paved the way for an international return for centre-half Damien Delaney.
The Crystal Palace skipper, 34, had seemed to close the door on his representative career citing a lack of game time and the demands of Premier League football as reasons.
But last week Palace boss Alan Pardew indicated that Delaney may have a rethink and tonight on TV3’s Champions League programme, O’Neill said he is keeping his options open ahead of Ireland’s Euro 2016 campaign.
He said: “The summer before last, when we had a trip to America, Damien played in the match before that, I think it was the Turkey game.
"I think Damien felt that he was never going to be a first choice at the time and declined to go to America.
“I mean that didn’t augur too well, whatever he says about it, he said that he would make himself available if he had a decent chance of getting into the squad, or into the team.
"I couldn’t guarantee anybody in the side"
“I wasn’t in the position to actually make those decisions.
"I couldn’t guarantee anybody in the side. So we went our separate ways at that time.
“Don’t get me wrong, Damien’s had an excellent season with Crystal Palace, he is on the wrong side of 30, he hasn’t played that many competitive games for the Republic of Ireland through his career.
"But I have to say that the way that we are in terms of centre-halves, if we get a few more injuries, I certainly couldn’t rule out anything, particularly if players have an interest in playing as well.”
Ireland play Switzerland and Slovakia in friendly games in Dublin on 25 and 29 March.
O'Neill has said he will use the games to see some of the fringe players and Delaney, who has nine caps, may be in the frame.
