Irish players welcome Arter back after row

James Mcclean has insisted someone would “have to put a gun to my head” to stop him turning out for the Republic of Ireland after Harry Arter was welcomed back into the squad.

Arter yesterday rejoined his international colleagues for the first time since making himself unavailable for last month’s games against Wales and Poland after a summer bust-up with assistant manager Roy Keane.

Mcclean welcomed the Bournemouth player, currently on loan at Cardiff, back into the fold, but having earlier voiced his opinion over Arter’s decision to stay away, the Stoke midfielder admitted it would take more than a row to keep him away.

He said: “I’d tell Harry myself that I don’t agree with that. You’d have to put a gun to my head for me to not show up and play for Ireland.

“But obviously everyone is different, and he’s here now. He’s a team-mate. He’s here to play for Ireland. He’s got my backing, 100 per cent.

“I’m pleased to see him back. He’s a good lad, he’s a good player and at the minute, we need all the good players we can get.”

Audio of Stephen Ward’s version of Arter’s exchange with Keane and another between Martin O’neill’s No 2 and Jonathan Walters prompted suggestions of damaged morale within the camp last month.

However, Mcclean was quick to deny the charge.

He said: “Two men having a row – that’s unheard of. So what? Someone had a go at someone.

“We’re all grown men at the end of the day. You just get on with it. The morale in the squad is good. It’s always been good.”

Arter was included in the squad for the Nations League clashes with Denmark and Wales after he and Keane had talked over their differences, and O’neill is confident there will be no lasting scars for the player.

The manager said: “I probably believe that it should make Harry stronger for it all. I think players should always have somethingtoprove,asweshould as managers as well.”