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James McClean is free to play for the Republic of Ireland in the friendly against Czech Republic later this month. Now all we need is for Giovanni Trapattoni to name him in the squad.

According to a report on the RTE website this evening, the Sunderland winger’s international eligibility papers have been approved by FIFA, clearing one of the most exciting prospects in many a year to tog out for the Boys in Green.

It had been feared that there would be delays sorting out the paperwork overseeing McClean’s eligibility considering that he had represented Northern Ireland at underage level in the past, but now that that bridge has been crossed, the ex-Derry City player is free to play.

All we need now, of course, is for Trap to pick him in the squad, which will be announced tomorrow for the game at the end of the month. Initially the conservative Italian had suggested that there wouldn’t be many players beyond the squad that got Ireland to the Euros called up between now and the summer, but recent reports have suggested that he is willing to give him a chance.

And, in fairness, how could he not? McClean has been on fire for the Black Cats in recent weeks, terrorising defences across the Premier League and popping up with a couple of goals as well, including a beauty in the snow against Stoke last weekend.

McClean has been at pains to point out his commitment to the Irish cause of late, even going as far as to rebuke Match of the Day 2 host Colin Murray for saying he was from Norn Iron.

The Sunderland website had also listed McClean’s nationality as Northern Irish, but after a gentle nudge from our good selves in their direction, that has since been corrected, even if Derry City fans won’t be too happy that McClean’s previous club is listed as ... Sunderland.