Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni, who has made the United 'keeper has captain for the friendly against Poland tonight, is still closely on touch with the Italian game.

And he admits he has been asked about him by more than one Serie A manager.

The 69-year-old said: "I knew of Shay before because I have played against Newcastle.

"But now I have worked with him I know his personality, how he trains and how he commands his defenders, and that's very, very important.

"I have spoken with two or three of the big managers who are my friends, and they have asked me if he could play in Italy.

"But the problem is in Italy, they spend the big money on strikers and much less on goalkeepers.

"For me, the goalkeeper is as important as a striker.

"A goalkeeper normally makes two three vital saves in a season and a striker will score two or three very important goals, so both are very, very important."