MARTIN O'NEILL feels he could make a shock appearance as a makeshift full-back - so long as James McClean continues to operate down the Sunderland flank.

McClean's sparkling performances for the Black Cats since he burst on to the scene in December as an unknown have propelled him into Euro 2012 contention.

Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni is seriously considering including him in his 23-man squad for next month's finals in the Ukraine and Poland.

Trapattoni has previously suggested he would stick with the group of players that secured passage to the summer and is known to favour workmanlike wide-men.

However, while McClean possesses an array of attacking skills, O'Neill thinks his work in the opposite direction should not be forgotten about either.

"James is the best in the business at defending as well," said O'Neill. "I could play left back with him in front of me! I would have a big cigar out there! I would love having him 20 yards in front of me."

And the Sunderland boss feels the 23-year-old would be an ideal inclusion in the Ireland squad, suggesting he would cause allsorts of problems for Italy, Spain and Croatia in Group C.

"James would be in a close-knit environment for a number of weeks dealing with a very good coach," said O'Neill. "He would be involved in a tournament second only to the World Cup. Given a chance to play a part he could do very well, I sense that. It would not faze him. He would absolutely not be out of place.

"Players who go past people are so rare. That is why he has made a massive impact."

Since making his debut against Blackburn in December, O'Neill has regularly been full of praise for the young Derryman.

After adding scoring free-kicks to his repertoire with his sixth goal of the season against Bolton last weekend, O'Neill just wants to see him continue to progress.

The Sunderland boss said: "James has not allowed his performances to dip too much and he has surpassed expectation.