Whelan will continue to be available
GLENN WHELAN is not retiring from international football.
But the Aston Villa midfielder is unlikely to play a visible role in future Ireland squads.
Whelan - capped 83 times - has told Martin O’neill that he is available when needed.
And the 34-year-old will be honoured with the captaincy when he leads the team out in the November clash against Northern Ireland in Dublin.
Effectively, that friendly is likely to be his international swansong but he will answer SOS calls.
Whelan was not in the squad named to face Wales in next week’s Nations League clash - or the friendly against Poland five days later.
O’neill said yesterday: “He has not called time on things, he has said, ‘If you want me’. Glenn has not played in the last game or so but if he is needed he wouldn’t call time on it yet.
“Regardless of what happens he will lead us out in November against Northern Ireland because of what he’s done for us.
“If there is a couple of injuries, he has a bit of experience which might be necessary.”
Aiden Mcgeady was another who failed to make the squad.
The winger has not played for Sunderland this season and O’neill said he did not merit inclusion because of that.
But nor is the manager closing the door on an international comeback as he said: “Aiden hasn’t played or even trained with the team long enough he needs to get fit.”