James McClean

I'm not saying that's the right thing to do, two wrongs don't make a right, but it's hard to see how he can justify picking McClean and not McGeady going forward now.

McClean will 100% be in the squad and will most likely play in all 3 games if fit.

What if McClean has been consistent and put in good performances under Kenny regardless of what club he is at? Parrot, Bazunu etc are playing L1 but wouldn't have the International experience that McClean has and there would be uproar on here if they were excluded. If Kenny feels he can do something for the team and put in a shift for us, then that's the bottom line. 

He is not long turned 32 so hardly well into his 30s and he has always played better for country than club.

There is no chance he would consult a solicitor over this. 

Club managers for years have not wanted players to play international football - Just look at how United players under Fergie selectively turned up for games. 

I think, and I could be wrong on this, the issue Stoke had was he was recovering from injury and there going on international duty would jeapordise that. I applaud McClean for his commitment to his country - He might probably guessed when he got injured this might be the likely outcome. I'm not saying that it's fair on him but I think you'd have a hard job that Stoke are doing anything illegal. 

I don't think the third tier will help McClean much. His best football was played in the PL and that was replicated at international level, all the way up to the Danish game in 2017. He worked well under Pulis, and his character and effort really made him indispensable. But that being said, much like McGeady's upswing in form, he will either be achieving against significantly weaker players, or more concerning, actually to slip into their level, and find it more of a challenge than a player of his history should.