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Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni appears unlikely to use James McClean in Thursday's vital Euro 2012 match against Spain despite Sunday's opening defeat by Croatia.

Calls for McClean's talents to be used have intensified since Sunday's defeat but Trapattoni appears to have ruled out including the Sunderland winger.

"His time will come in the future," said the Republic boss.

Trapattoni has hinted that striker Jonathan Walters may start on Thursday.

Centre-back Richard Dunne trained on Tuesday morning after missing Monday's session because of blistered feet while midfielder Darron Gibson also took part after shaking off a thigh strain.

Walters replaced Kevin Doyle in the second half of Sunday's match in Poznan and the Republic boss praised the Stoke striker's ability at his press briefing on Monday evening.

"Jonathan has shown us with his physical strength the way he can help both the strikers and the midfield," added Trapattoni.

The Republic boss defended his decision to bring on West Brom striker Simon Cox and not McClean in place of winger Aiden McGeady in the early stages of the second half against Croatia.

"I was waiting for this question," he said. "Remember when you asked me 'why five strikers?'

"I said Cox is also a winger and he can also play in a three as an attacking striker.

"Cox is one of the strikers but also at his club, can play right or left. He is also a striker in fact and in the past, has scored goals."

When further questioned about McClean remaining on the bench on Sunday, Trapattoni responded: "You are friends with James, no?

"I have a duty. It would have been his first [competitive] game.

"When there are senior, experienced players in this situation, maybe there is tension.

"You can understand how much more tense a young player can be. It's important we give them a quiet opportunity, not when we need their performance under pressure."

Few pundits are giving the Republic any chance of avoiding the defeat by Spain that would end their hopes of emerging from Group C but Trapattoni refused to be downbeat.

The veteran coach is drawing inspiration from Chelsea's Champions League success against Bayern Munich as he plans for Thursday's match.

He said: "We know they are technical and we know their quality but it's 90 minutes and I can remember Bayern Munich against Chelsea.

"They had 70% of possession and so many corners. Chelsea had one corner and won and that is football.

"It is a team with confidence and trust and we know it will be important for us not to concede space because they play two-touch easily."

Captain Robbie Keane also maintained his belief that the Republic can create an upset against the world and European champions.

"There have been a few upsets in a few games already, so there's no reason why we can't go into Thursday's game believing we can get a result," said LA Galaxy forward Keane.

"There's always pressure, there's pressure before we came into the championship, you have to get results.

"It's going to be no different than it has been before. I mean, before this game people hadn't given us a chance so what have we got to lose?

"It's by no means going to be an easy game we certainly know that, we know we're up against it.

"Listen, we still have belief in this squad that we can go into any game and get a result."