O’Neill On Gareth Barry

Looks like Stuart Downing and Gareth Barry won’t come head to head on Saturday as the 22-year-old is still recovering from the groin problem.

O’Neill said earlier: ‘Downing didn’t play on Saturday because of illness, so I assume he is probably fit. I am quite sure that, as people mention him as an England candidate and somebody being on the periphery of things – as Gareth is at the moment, I think there will be automatic comparisons and contrasts – but I don’t think he should worry too much about that.’

‘I think he should just be getting on. If he plays up to his capabilities, he will play really well, it’s as simple as that. Because his capabilities have been very, very good this season – and many a season before that too as well.’

And on Barry’s fitness he added: ‘He played the first half against Chelsea and came off with the injury and I think he was really stiffening up at half-time at Wigan on Sunday, but he got more loose in the second half and I thought he came more into the game in the second half. So I think that game will have brought him on again in terms of his own natural fitness he got through it. He is feeling much, much better. I think he will be ready to play really well.’

Downing or Barry for England? Only one options, shame McClaren is as blind as Sven really.