Reading defender Paul McShane is hoping that he can still force his way into the Republic of Ireland squad for Euro 2016 after recently returning to action.

McShane joined the Royals, who can be backed at 67.00 to win the FA Cup, from Hull over the summer and has been handed the captain’s armband by boss Brian McDermott.

The 30-year-old has played 24 times for the Championship club this term although he recently spent a spell on the sidelines with a calf problem.

The defender has featured in the last three matches, keeping clean sheets against Wolves and Burnley before scoring in the 3-1 FA Cup victory over West Brom to secure a quarter-final date with Crystal Palace.

McShane hopes he has impressed enough over recent weeks to catch the eye of Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill and his assistant Roy Keane.

He has turned out 31 times for his national side and is hopeful of getting the call for friendlies against Switzerland and Slovakia next month.

McShane said: “I’d be very disappointed not to make the 23-man squad.

“All I can do is control my end of things. I’m playing regularly now in the Championship and FA Cup. Things are going well for me at present.

“When Martin and Roy first came in, they rang me up to check in but I was then ruled out for three months with an ankle injury.

“Other lads came and did well so I found myself out of the squad. I was dying to get back in and I did that last summer, which was a major plus for me.

“The manager has a big job to pick 23 players for the finals. There will be people disappointed but that’s the nature of the beast.”