Ciaran Clark’s fitness may be the only good news to come out of Villa Park this year

For once, some news is actually good news about an Ireland player.

The list of walking (or hobbling) wounded in the possible Ireland Euro 2016 squad seems to be growing by the day, but at least this afternoon, there is some rare positive news to report about a crocked Irishman. We've already had to steel ourselves to the news of injuries to Rob Elliott, Jon Walters, Robbie Keane, Jeff Hendrick and Kevin Doyle in the last two weeks, which it was feared could put their Euro 2016 dreams on ice. Ciaran Clark was also added to that list as he missed the Slovakia friendly due to a calf injury. There were concerns the Aston Villa man may have torn the muscle when he missed his club's 4-0 loss to Chelsea last Saturday, but caretaker manager Eric Black has confirmed the player has suffered no long term injury, and could feature this week in the clash with Bournemouth. Black confirmed Clark has resumed light running and is doing minor ball work which may allow him to be considered for the matchday squad this Friday. Despite an ever-changing defence, Clark has started six of Ireland's last nine internationals and would be seen as a key player for our hopes of progressing in France this summer. The good news from Birmingham follows an update on Robbie Keane’s knee injury issued by L.A Galaxy this morning.