Giovanni Trapattoni: Believes Ireland can have confidence despite a tough group

Giovanni Trapattoni insists anything is possible as Republic of Ireland prepare for their Euro 2012 adventure.

All but two of Trapattoni's 23-strong party have now arrived at Ireland's Portmarnock base, with skipper Robbie Keane due to fly in from Los Angeles on Monday, when midfielder Glenn Whelan will also join up after being allowed an extra day off following his wedding on Saturday.

Ireland have been pitched into battle with reigning World and European champions Spain, Trapattoni's native Italy and Croatia in Group C and face a real scrap if they are to make it to the quarter-final stage.

But having seen Chelsea defy the odds to beat Bayern Munich in Saturday night's UEFA Champions League final, Trapattoni insists Ireland should fear no-one.

He said: "I think we can have confidence. The opponents, we know - Spain, Italy, the same Croatia - are strong.

"But I said also to the players, the example is like yesterday evening when Chelsea beat Bayern when Bayern were favourites. That is very important."

But asked if his team would attempt to set up like Chelsea to frustrate their opponents, the 73-year-old added: "We have other players, another attitude.

"It's not possible to choose a system or attitude. We have confidence about our mentality, our attitude - with this, we have achieved good results.

"I will say to the players we have to do what we have done until now."

Trapattoni has indicated all along that he will largely rely upon the men who took Ireland to the finals in Poland and Ukraine when they get there, although Sunderland winger James McClean has done everything he can to give the manager something to think about.

Trapattoni admits the 23-year-old, who only won his first senior cap as a substitute against the Czech Republic in February, has already made an impression.

Confidence

Asked how McClean, who arrived last Thursday, had fitted in, the Italian said: "Very well, with confidence. He's like one of the senior players. Very well."

Trapattoni has signalled his intention to extend the midfielder's range by working with him on the right as well as in his more accustomed left-sided role, and that is something he plans to do in Malahide this week.

The manager said: "We have a plan for this. We will also look about his attitude.

"I think he can do it. When he plays on the left, he comes inside, but now that is a situation I can test out."

While most members of the squad trained at Gannon Park on Sunday afternoon, there were notable absences with Sunderland defender John O'Shea among them.

The 31-year-old, a key member of Ireland's defence throughout the last two campaigns, aggravated an ankle problem in his club's final day 1-0 Premier League defeat by Manchester United, although a scan allayed Trapattoni's worst fears.

However, he trained only in the gym on Sunday, while Keith Fahey and Kevin Foley, who have groin and hamstring problems respectively, worked apart from the group.

Trapattoni added: "John O'Shea has a little bit of an ankle problem, a little bit of a knock, but it's no problem. Maybe tomorrow, he can start the training.

"Foley and Fahey today trained separately, but we have confidence about their situation. I think in two or three days, they can be ready."