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Shane Duffy 'has come to the fore', says O'Neill

The Blackburn Rovers defender looks likely to board the plane to Euro 2016 in France after injury scuppered Marc Wilson's hopes of featuring

Shane Duffy is set to benefit from the news that Marc Wilson will miss Euro 2016, with Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill acknowledging the Blackburn Rovers defender's development.

O'Neill confirmed that Wilson will not play a part in this summer's tournament after the Stoke City defender suffered a set-back to a knee injury and admitted that Duffy had "come to the fore" this season.

The 24-year-old Derry native impressed in Ireland's 1-0 win over Switzerland at the end of March, providing the assist for Ciaran Clark's winning goal and the Ireland boss noted that his aerial threat was an asset.