O’Neill ‘verbally agreed’ contract

Martin O’Neill has revealed he headed for the Euro 2016 finals with his contract extension as Republic of Ireland manager only verbally agreed.

The Football Association of Ireland announced on Tuesday evening that the 64-year-old, assistant Roy Keane and coaches Steve Guppy, Seamus McDonagh and Steve Walford had all agreed to remain in post for the World Cup qualifying campaign which gets under way in September.

However, asked about his new deal for the first time by the media after putting his players through their paces at an open training session at the Stade de Montbauron in Versailles yesterday, O’Neill admitted it is yet to be physically signed.

He said: “I’ve shaken hands with (chief executive) John (Delaney), that’s all that’s necessary. John felt that going into the Euros it might be a decent thing to do, so fine. I’m happy with it.

“John and I had a conversation, I’ve shaken hands with him and I have implicit trust in him.”

Four years ago, Ireland’s campaign in Poland was effectively doomed from the off as they lost 3-1 to Croatia in their first game, and a repeat this time around could prove equally costly.

The manager’s preparations have been hampered to an extent by injuries, but with Robbie Keane, Robbie Brady and James McCarthy all now back in training, striker Jonathan Walters is the only real doubt as he battles a calf problem.

Walters warmed up with his team-mates yesterday morning, but then worked separately with physio Dan Horan.

Asked about his readiness for Monday’s game against Sweden, O’Neill replied: “He has a few days yet and he’s improving.”

Walters has become a key figure in the Ireland team under the current manager, but should he not make it O’Neill would have to shuffle his pack.

But the manager insisted he would not have to opt for wholesale changes should the Stoke man miss out.

He said: “We don’t have to re-think everything, but we have a squad of 23 players out here and everyone is keen to play.”