Ireland Under-21 team boss Noel King has named his squad for the forthcoming UEFA U21 Championship qualifying Group Seven fixtures with Hungary and Italy.
The Irish face Hungary in Kecskemét on Thursday September 6 then meet the Italians in Casarano four days later.
"We have two games to go in our group and the simply facts are that if we win the two of them we'll get at least second place and hopefully that will secure a playoff place," said King.
IRELAND U21 squad: Ian McLoughlin (MK Dons), Aaron McCarey (Wolves), John Egan (Sunderland), Greg Cunningham (Bristol City), Rob Kiernan (Wigan Athletic), Shane Duffy (Everton), Niall Canavan (Scunthorpe), Richie Towell (Unattached), Jeff Hendrick (Derby County), Adam Barton (Coventry City), Conor Henderson (Arsenal), Conor Clifford (Chelsea), Samir Carruthers (Aston Villa), Eunan O'Kane (Bournemouth), Sean Murray (Watford), Robbie Brady (Manchester United), Aidan White (Leeds United), Sean Scannell (Huddersfield Town), Rhys Murphy (SC Telstar), James Collins (Swindon Town).
Ipswich boss Paul Jewell is hopeful of signing Leicester City defender Sean St Ledger after agreeing a fee as well as personal terms with the player.
But Jewell says the 27-year-old Irish international, who has made eight league starts this term, has a number of offers to consider.
"Everything's agreed between the two clubs and with the player's personal terms," he told BBC Radio Suffolk.
"I spoke to him on Monday. He has got a few options. Hopefully he will choose us. But we're waiting on an answer."
St Ledger agreed a three-year deal with the Foxes when he joined from Preston in the summer.
But he has failed to establish himself as a regular first-choice centre-half at the King Power Stadium and, with the European Championships this year, he will be keen to remain in the thinking of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni.
"I spoke to him at length over the weekend," Jewell added. "He just wants to make sure he makes the right decision because there are a few teams in for him.
"Hopefully we'll sell Ipswich as a long-term plan rather than a short-term option."
Ireland international Ciarán Clark admits he has to keep his Aston Villa spot if he is to secure a place in Ireland's 23 man squad for the Euro 2012 finals in Poland.
Clark, who can play in central defence or midfield, has recently regained his Villa spot in a holding midfield role.
He is desperate to be part of the Irish squad in Poland and knows he has to impress Trapattoni at club level during the second half of Villa's Premiership campaign.
Clark who gained his first international call up in November 2010 against Norway said: "I'd like to keep getting into the Villa team because that is the only way I am going to get into the team to make the European Championships in the summer.
"I know if I play games then I will hopefully get a chance to go.
"It would be a massive experience for me to go to Euro 2012 but I haven't been picked in the last few squads.
"I hadn't really been playing for Villa but, now I'm getting a few games, it would be nice to think I've got a chance for the summer..
"I won't give up on it and hopefully I'll show I'm good enough."
Ireland international Seamus Coleman believes his background in Gaelic football has put him in good stead for life in the Premier League with Everton.
The 23-year-old tasted success with underage Donegal teams and well as his club side Killybegs before opting to pursue a career in soccer when former Sligo Rovers manager Sean Connor saw enough of the St Catherine’s defender to offer him a contract in the League of Ireland. Five years ago tomorrow Coleman made his first team bow as a late substitute in a 5-0 FAI Cup replay loss at Derry City’s hands before joining the Merseyside giants just over two years later after a couple of excellent seasons at the Showgrounds.
Had fate decreed otherwise, Coleman might well have played before the 81,436 supporters who descended on Croke Park in August for Donegal’s All-Ireland semi-final against the eventual champions, Dublin. He was a recognisable face in the crowd instead, able to attend as he recovered from an ankle ligament injury.
“Gaelic was always my No1,” Coleman told The Guardian. “I played bits and pieces of soccer but I didn’t have a serious commitment to it. Gaelic was my chosen sport but when I was 18 I was offered a chance with Sligo and €150 a week. I thought I should at least give it a go because I could always go back to Gaelic if it didn’t work out. That was the plan anyway, but I haven’t looked back since, to be honest. It’s been unbelievable.
“I’d played Gaelic all my life and I loved it. I was on the county teams and we’d been quite successful. It was a tough decision to leave it behind. I didn’t want to leave a team that had all my mates in it. I still follow Donegal and Killybegs and keep in touch with the lads there. I’ll go whenever I can. I was playing Gaelic every week for my home town and we were winning, so it was difficult to move away from all that but, at the same time, I’d wanted to play in the Premier League in England since I was a boy.”
Coleman’s first appearance for Everton was one he has since put down to experience. Two years ago, the right-back was thrown in on the opposite flank at Benfica’s Stadium of Light, with the striking talents of Pablo Aimar, Javier Saviola, Oscar Cardozo and, particularly that night in Lisbon, Angel di María. And similarly to the Bradywell on his Sligo bow, Coleman’s debut was a demoralising 5-0 loss.
Redemption came in early December at Goodison Park when Coleman was flung from the bench in the first half to play significant roles in the lead-up to goals from Louis Saha and Tim Cahill as Everton came from two down to force a home point against Tottenham Hotspur. The strength, energy and honesty he brought to Everton’s right wing that night, which secured a regular first-team role the following season, was born of his own education.
“I think some of my Gaelic experience has been useful here,” he says. “It’s a harder game for a start. If you get pushed you get straight back up. You don’t roll around looking at the referee for a free-kick and you wouldn’t get one if you did in Gaelic. It’s a fight – nothing too serious, but it is pure determination and I think I brought that with me here. I just had to play soccer the way I played Gaelic and thankfully it worked out.”
After a successful loan at Blackpool where Coleman played a significant role in the club’s dramatic promotion via the play-off finals, there was a repositioning on his return to Goodison. Last September at Craven Cottage, Everton manager David Moyes opted to push Coleman on from right-back to the wing and by the time the tills were totted at the end of the campaign, the Killybegs native was named the club’s young player of the year, scoring five goals and obtaining four international senior caps. He’ll be making the trip to Tallinn next month for the crucial Euro 2012 play-off, having been named in Giovanni Trapattoni’s squad on Friday.
This season, Coleman’s steady rise on the progress chart was stunted before it got a chance to develop. In a pre-season fixture against La Liga side Villarreal, Coleman was the victim of a horrendous challenge from Carlos Marchena. The ligament damage wasn’t as bad as initially feared but it meant a lay-off of four weeks but Coleman, in his own innocent way, made his way back to fitness and set up Saha’s leveller against Chelsea in the Carling Cup on Wednesday before starting against Manchester United on Saturday. He’s still living the dream.
“I got injured at the wrong time and came back quicker than I was expecting,” he adds. “I played a few games and I think I could have done better in them but it’s a long season,” he says. “This season has been harder. Teams know more about you in your second season and you have to adapt. The manager has spoken to me a few times about what I need to do and what I can add to my game. Last season was fantastic for me and I need to build on that now.
“I do find it hard to believe where I am. I’d never say no to a photo or an autograph because a couple of years ago I was the one asking. You will never hear anyone in the changing room complaining about the club’s finances. We are at Everton to do a job. We’ve got great supporters who are fully behind us and, let’s be honest, we are spoilt rotten. The facilities are fantastic, the kitchen staff, everyone, is so friendly and I just love the place. I will never take it for granted, that’s for sure.”By Alan Foley - Donegal Democrat
Click HERE to listen
This is episode 2 in our series as excitement builds ahead of the playoff clash with Estonia. On this epsiode, two dedicated Irish supporters join us to give their views.
We have John from YBIG.ie, a Raheny man looking forward to jetting off to Tallinn. We also have Paul from Foot.ie, a Rossie living in London.
We discuss:
0.00 Introduction
3.20 Players discussed on foot.ie - Darren O’Dea
4.10 Sean St Ledger
5.00 Trapattoni not looking at club form of Irish players ( Leon Best, Marc Wilson)
16.00 Formations and Wes Hoolahan
18.00 Estonia
22.10 Foot.ie discussion about plastic paddy’s (Kevin Nolan, Jamie Noble, Jamie O’Hara)
28.00 YBIG.ie Go Green on November 15th Campaign
The show is by the fans and for the fans and if you want to get involved you can mail us as TheWorldsTalking@gmail.com
Sunderland have completed the signing of Manchester United and Ireland defender John O'Shea.
O'Shea, 30, has signed a four-year deal at the Stadium of Light after the clubs agreed an undisclosed fee.
Manager Steve Bruce said: "O'Shea's wealth of experience and versatility will be great attributes for us."
The Black Cats had a joint bid for O'Shea, Brown and midfielder Darron Gibson accepted last month, but the move for Gibson seems to have slowed with Stoke entering the race to sign the Derry born Ireland international.
Brown, 31, and O'Shea will add experience to a Sunderland defence that was badly affected by injuries last season.
Bruce added: "John has been a solid, consistent part of Manchester United's squad for well over a decade which goes to show the fantastic pedigree of player we have signed.
"He is a wonderful professional both on and off the field.
"I'm delighted with the players we've been able to secure ahead of the new season."
O'Shea, who has only ever played for United in his career, added: "Once I'd heard reports about the club and the people here, the ambitions and what the manager was all about, this was the only place I was going to come to."
Robbie Keane expects his Ireland team-mate Shay Given to be back playing Premiership football next season.
Manchester City goalkeeper Given has endured a frustrating year at Eastlands after losing his place in the team to Joe Hart.
The 34-year-old Donegal born goal stopper is expected to move on in the summer and Keane has underlined the qualities the former Newcastle goalkeeper offers.
The pair are currently together on international duty preparing to face Scotland in the Carling Nations Cup on Sunday and Macedonia in a Euro 2012 qualifier next week.
Tottenham striker Keane, who himself could be looking for a new club this summer, said: “I still feel he is the best ‘keeper in the Premier League.
“I’m biased because I have worked with Shay and he is a good friend but, not only that, he is a top-class goalkeeper. It has been a frustrating season for him and he has come out and said that.
“But I am sure in the summer, after getting these games behind him, he’ll look forward to a break and he’ll certainly get a club for next season, no doubt about that.
“Whoever does buy him would be getting a world-class goalkeeper and someone who is great to have around the dressing room as well.”
Keane has had a disappointing year himself after falling down the pecking order at Spurs and then suffering injuries during his loan spell with West Ham.
He feels both he and Given are happy to be away with their country this week to enjoy some time on the field.
The 30-year-old is also closing in on a half-century of international goals having taken his tally to 48 with a double strike in Tuesday’s 5-0 thrashing of Nigel Worthington's IFA side in Dublin.
Keane said: “For those who haven’t played a lot of games, they probably want to play in all the games to get their fitness and sharpness.
“Those that have played a lot are probably happy playing just one this week.”
Ireland also have another game this summer with the qualifier in Macedonia on June 4th followed by a friendly against Italy three days later.
The build-up in their training camp was overshadowed earlier in the week by the absences of Wigan’s James McCarthy and Stoke pair Jon Walters and Marc Wilson.
Manager Giovanni Trapattoni said the FAI had received no explanation for their non-appearance but Wigan insisted they had informed them that McCarthy had an ankle injury.
Stoke manager Tony Pulis has now said similar concerning Walters, telling the Stoke Sentinel: “Jon picked up a shoulder injury against Wigan last Sunday.
“He said he was willing to go over to Ireland to have it tested there, but the doctor got back to him to say not to bother coming over. So I know for a fact Jon is covered and he had got permission.”
Pulis did not comment on Wilson but the FAI now understand he has an ankle injury and it appears the underlying problem amid the fiasco has concerned communication.
Preston defender Sean St Ledger has been ruled out of the remaining internationals with a knee injury but Darren O’Dea is winning his battle for fitness after an ankle problem.
Shay Given will be fit to play for Ireland in June’s European Championship qualifier in Macedonia. Irish goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly confirmed in Dublin that Manchester City back up keeper Given will be fit in time for the club’s first FA Cup final since 1981.
The Donegal goal stopper missed the March win over Macedonia after undergoing surgery on another shoulder injury in February but is back in full training with his club.
"Shay sent a message this week to tell us that he is back in full training and doing very well," said Kelly at the annual Dublin Docklands Coaching for Kids festival.
"He is fighting fit once again and looking forward to getting back on the field with City and with Ireland.
"He is pushing the envelope and I will be very surprised if he’s not on the bench for City for the FA Cup final against Stoke and back forIreland in the games at the end of next month."
Ireland striker Shane Long is refusing to rule out a move to the Premier League - but he insists his burning ambition is to get there with Reading.
Long was again instrumental in Reading's 2-1 win over Preston this evening, providing the pass for Jimmy Kebe to put the Royals in front and being a constant menace in front of goal.
Tonight's win moves the Royals into sixth place in the Championship and they are now right in the play-off mix and looking to continue a strong charge towards Premiership promotion.
The 24-year-old Tipperary born striker scored both goals in last Saturday's 2-0 home win against Portsmouth to take his club tally to 22 for the season.
And with three further Ireland international goals to his name this campaign, Long continues to be linked with a string of top-flight clubs including Wolves and West Brom.
But the in-form Irish hitman says the prospect of leaving the Madejski Stadium has not even crossed his mind.
Long, who signed a new contract recently until summer 2012, declared: "I think I'm performing well in the Championship and obviously the next step is the Premier League. I want to test myself against the best players in the world.
"But that's a long way away and all I'm looking for now is the next three points for Reading."
However, Long was more cautious when asked whether he may be forced to move on for the sake of his career should Reading fail to secure promotion.
"That's a hard question to answer," admitted the former Cork City player. "Obviously I want to play at the highest level but all I want to do is concentrate on the next game for Reading and take things as they come. I'm enjoying my football here, I get on well with the lads and my sole ambition is to get the Premier League with Reading."
The victory over Preston has stretched Reading's unbeaten run to nine matches and Long believes that if that continues they could even snatch the second automatic promotion spot behind champions-elect QPR.
"I'm enjoying my football at the moment and the games and the goals are coming thick and fast so long may that continue," he said. "We're going the right way about things and all of a sudden second place doesn't look far away.
"We've set our expectations high and aim for that second position so wherever we finish will be a bonus."
Long's brace last Saturday meant he is the first Reading player to score 20 league goals or more in a season since former strike partners Jamie Cureton and Martin Butler both managed it 10 years ago.
And despite the growing interest around Long's future, McDermott appears unconcerned: "I am not thinking about losing Long or any other players next season," he argued. "All we can do is train and worry about our next game.
"I think Shane has been on fire since the start of the season. He was playing well but not scoring whereas now he is getting the goals as well".
Keiren Westwood, Darren O'Dea and Kevin Foley will all make competitive debuts for Ireland in Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia.
Coventry keeper Westwood was always going to come in for the injured Shay Given to win his sixth senior cap, while Wolves defender Foley takes over from John O'Shea at right-back.
However, O'Dea, currently on loan at Ipswich from Celtic, has been drafted in as a late replacement for central defender Sean St Ledger, who has finally had to admit defeat in his efforts to shake off a knee injury picked up in a training ground collision with Ciaran Clark on Tuesday.
Kevin Kilbane will make his 65th successive competitive start in a back four which will also include the fit again Richard Dunne, while Manchester United's Darron Gibson will partner Glenn Whelan in central midfield with Damien Duff and Aiden McGeady providing the width.
Robbie Keane, captaining his country for a record-equalling 40th time, will start alongside Kevin Doyle in attack after finally shaking off the calf injury which has sidelined him for much of the last six weeks.
Manager Giovanni Trapattoni has confirmed that Wigan midfielder James McCarthy will be involved at some point, although Jon Walters is not now due to join up with the squad until after the game following the birth of his third child.
Ireland XI: Westwood, Foley, Dunne, O'Dea, Kilbane, Duff, Gibson, Whelan, McGeady, Keane, Doyle.
A last minute goal from County Down’s Paul George gave Ireland U17’s a share of the points in their 2-2 European Elite stage qualifying opener against Denmark in Greece this afternoon.
John Morling’s Ireland team took the lead thanks to Arsenal’s Philip Roberts who slotted home after a period of Danish pressure. The Danes equalised just before half time and looked like they had secured the three points when Zohore scored with only two minutes of normal time left.
However with less than a minute remaining of added time, Celtic ‘bhoy’ Paul George equalised for ‘The boys In Green’ to keep us well in contention going into Friday’s difficult clash against hosts Greece, who defeated Latvia 2-0 in their opener today.
IRELAND – Joe Coll (Manchester United), Colm Horgan (Salthill Devon), Tommie Hoban (Watford), Steven Smith (Arsenal), Sean Kavanagh (Belvedere), Kealan Dillon (Derby County), Darragh Lenihan (Belvedere), Luke Gallagher (Cherry Orchard), Kenny McEvoy (Tottenham Hotspur), Philip Roberts (Arsenal), Sam Byrne (St. Josephs Boys).
Substitutes: Ian Lawlor (Manchester City), Paul George (Celtic), John Kavanagh (Ringmahon Rangers), Pierce Sweeney (Belvedere), Michael Hyland (Southend), Bradley Garmston (West Brom), James Murphy (Reading).
Ireland's Marc Wilson is pinning his hopes on a successful FA Cup campaign as he looks to overcome the heartache of missing last season's Wembley final show-piece.
The County Antrim born Irish international was a regular starter for Portsmouth under Avram Grant in a memorable run to the FA Cup Final which included the excellent 2-0 semi-final success against a strongly-fancied Tottenham Hotspur side at Wembley Stadium.
However, a hamstring injury suffered in Pompey's final Premier League game of the season against Everton brought his campaign to an end and subsequently scuppered his chances of featuring in main cup event of the English season.
"It was heartbreaking really, that's the only way I can describe it," he told stokecityfc.com. "To have played in all of the other games, including the semi final at Wembley, made it even harder for me.
"As a youngster, you grow up dreaming of walking up the stairs at Wembley to lift the FA Cup, and to have that chance taken away from you, just like I did last year, is gut-wrenching really.
He continued: "The FA Cup is an amazing competition to play in and it is still one I am dreaming about winning one day. I don't see why we can't achieve that here. We have a home game coming up and if we can come through that then we are in the last eight where anything can happen."
The 23-year old is refusing to get too carried away about the prospects of reaching the quarter finals for a second successive year, describing the upcoming encounter against League One high-fliers Brighton as an "extremely difficult challenge".
"It is a game of football, and in those 90 minutes anything is possible," he added. "This competition is famous and it is famous because strange things can happen. Teams who you don't think should have a chance can come out on top and we have to be wary of that.
"We have good players here and we are confident that if we play to our potential then we should win the game, but they will come here confident because they are doing very well this season. I have seen them a couple of times on television and I have been impressed with them."
Victory against the Seagulls would help cap off a memorable ten days for the youngster, who only last week stepped off the substitutes bench to make his senior debut for Ireland as they brushed aside Wales 3-0 in the opening game of the Carling Nations Cup.
"It was an extremely proud moment for me and obviously an occasion I will never ever forget. It was fantastic to play a part in the game because it is something I have wanted to do since I was a little boy," he commented in reflecting on his international debut.
"To have all my family and friends over there at the game made it even more special for me, and hopefully if I can continue doing the right things here at Stoke, which is my priority, then I will get more opportunities down the line to represent my country."
Séamus Coleman admits tasting international football with Ireland has left him wanting more.
Coleman's friends and family from Killybegs and other parts of Donegal were inside the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday night to see him make his international debut against Wales in the first game of the Carling Nations Cup which ended in a comfortable 3-0 win for Ireland. After playing for almost an hour, Coleman is hoping Giovanni Trapattoni saw enough to keep faith in him for the crunch Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia next month in Dublin.
"Playing for your country is what every professional wants to do and I am no different," said the former Sligo Rovers player. "The more caps the merrier for me.
"He (Trapattoni) was delighted with the good convincing win and he congratulated me on my debut, which was all I wanted.
"To be honest I just wanted to play whether it be right back or right wing. I am used to right wing because of my time at Everton and I really enjoyed it. I am just going to go back to Everton and work hard there and hopefully the club form will be rewarded with more caps at international level.
"The game was similar to Premier League football," added Coleman. "We knew all about their players as well so that probably helped on my debut. There were a bit of nerves beforehand but I wasn't overly nervous. A small amount of nerves is always good to have so I was fine and I really enjoyed it. All my family and friends were down from Donegal so they went home happy."
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has named his starting team for the Carling Nations Cup opening game against Wales tomorrow evening.
Trapattonni has confirmed ten of his line-up and has yet to decide between Darron Gibson and Paul Green for the central midfield role alongside Glenn Whelan. There is no starting birth for Stoke's Marc Wilson, however it's clear that he is certainly as capable and versatile in the central midfield position, as any of the three named above.
Stoke City striker Jonathan Walters will make his first senior international start as Kevin Doyle's partner in attack having been introduced as a substitute in the last game against Norway. Shane Long is likely to play some part in the Irish front line during the game and will hope to carry his exceptional recent scoring record for Reading into the Carling Cup game.
As he indicated yesterday, Trapattoni has afforded debut caps to Ciarán Clark and Séamus Coleman.
Ireland:
Shay Given (Manchester City); John O'Shea (Manchester United), Sean St Ledger (Preston NE), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa); Seamus Coleman (Everton), Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), Paul Green (Derby County) or Darron Gibson (Manchester United); Jonathan Walters (Stoke City), Kevin Doyle (Wolves).
West Ham chairman David Gold says the club have agreed a deal to sign Tottenham's Irish striker Robbie Keane on loan until the end of the season.
The Hammers have brought in the Ireland record goalscoring international with a view to making the deal permanent at the end of the campaign.
"We're delighted to sign a world class striker," Gold said after their FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest.
"Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy drives a hard bargain but we've got our man."
They are expected on Monday to officially unveil Keane, who attended the Hammers' 3-2 win over Forest and will earn in the region of £70,000-a-week.
Keane joins Ba and earlier arrivals Wayne Bridge, on loan from Manchester City, and Gary O'Neil, from Middlesbrough, at West Ham during what has been a busy transfer window.
Irish boss Giovanni Trapattoni has spoken for the first time about Robbie Keane’s position as first-choice Irish striker and captain being under possible threat.
Announcing the 29 player squad for the February Carling Cup game against Wales, the Ireland manager said he was "disappointed" that Keane had yet to find a new club and expressed the hope that the Spurs striker still had time to sort out his club future and get back playing on a regular basis.
But while Trapattoni indicated that Keane would benefit from the boost of being selected to play against Wales, his longer-term future in an Ireland shirt now appears much less certain, with even his chances of playing the full game in the Euro Championship qualifier against Macedonia in March dependent on the amount of game time he might get between now and the game.
"If Robbie does not find a club, we can evaluate other options before the qualifying game," said Trapattoni. "We need players with rhythm, mentality, condition. There are situations that might still be open to Robbie. I said to him that all that is important is that he gets a move and plays. It’s not important if he plays Premiership, Championship or in Europe — he could even go to America.
"I don’t know if it’s true if he had an opportunity to go to Birmingham but I do hope now that he immediately gets a move. It’s important that he plays."
Trapattoni would only reluctantly drop his talisman and said that he must balance the issue of Keane’s lack of match sharpness against the effect of the loss of such an experienced player.
"At this moment we can only wait and hope that he immediately gets a move," he said. "Yes, we can make a change but it’s always dangerous to put too much weight on the shoulders of young players. Robbie and Shay Given are not only famous players but great players — although the position of a goalkeeper is different. But we need these two players.
"And the young players also need the older players, because it helps give them added security. I know this from when I was a young player myself. You need balance in the squad. But at the same time, we have Kevin Doyle and Shane Long. And the game against Wales is a good opportunity to evaluate our other options. So, yes, certainly I can start thinking about what we have after Keane but we also have to keep him in mind."
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has named his squad for the Carling Nations Cup opening game against Wales which takes place in Aviva stadium on Tuesday February 8.
Included in the squad is Ciarán Clark who will report for duty for the first time having been ruled out of the Norway friendly due to injury. The squad will meet up on Sunday February 6 and will prepare for their first game of 2011.
Giovanni Trapattoni said, “I am looking forward to the opening game of the Carling Nations Cup against Wales. This competition provides our players with familiar and tough opponents and the added competitive edge to the tournament is the perfect preparation for our EURO qualifying campaign. “
Goalkeepers
Given
Westwood
Defenders
O'Shea
Clark
Coleman
Dunne
St Ledger
Foley
Kilbane
S Kelly
O'Dea
McShane
Midfield
Wilson
Gibson
Whelan
Green
Lawrence
Hunt
McGeady
Treacy
Duff
Fahey
Forwards
Keane
Walters
Doyle
Long
Keogh
Best
Stokes
QPR boss Neil Warnock has praised Keiren Westwood - and says the Coventry City star is a better goalkeeper than many of the Premier League shot-stoppers.
The Ireland international had a superb game as the Sky Blues lost a tight game to Warnock's side at Loftus Road yesterday.
And Warnock believes the Irish goal stopper is already better than many keepers in the top flight.
He told Talk Sport: "Westwood was excellent today. I put him head and shoulders above many keepers in the Premier League."
Westwood made his first international appearance for Ireland in a friendly against Nigeria in May 2009 as is tipped as the natural replacement for Shay Given, when his international career comes to an end.
Westwood has been the focus of recent transfer speculation with a number of Premiership clubs keeping tabs on the progress of the 26 year old.
Irish international Marc Wilson believes he is ready to try and gate-crash Stoke’s central midfield between now and the end of the season.
But he admits the successful Rory Delap/Dean Whitehead combination may remain a tough nut to crack.
That pair recently enjoyed eight successive Premier League games on the trot, but an enforced reshuffle at Manchester United and an FA Cup tie against Cardiff has left Wilson starting the last two games to much acclaim.
“It is always good whenever the fans appreciate you,” said the 23-year-old Irishman from County Antrim, “and it was great that the manager should give me the shout to play.
“I hadn’t played a full 90 minutes before the game at Old Trafford, so after 80 minutes I was feeling it a little bit. But it was great to be out there.
“Every player obviously wants to be in the team every week if he can and hopefully I can do that, but to be fair to Rory and Dean have been doing really well.”
Wilson, who joined four months ago as part of the deal that took Dave Kitson to Portsmouth, has proved easy on the eye with his natural ability on the ball.
But he acknowledges there has been work to do on the defensive side of his game to meet the requirements demanded at Stoke.
“The manager has done a great job in getting all the players playing together,” he said, “and he likes the team really solid first and foremost.
“It has taken a bit of adjusting to for me, but I think I’m getting used to it now.”
WIlson has also attracted the interest of Ireland international manager Giovanni Trapattoni and may play some part in the upcoming Celtic cup game against Wales in Dublin next month. Wilson was drafted into the Ireland squad for their crucial European qualifying double-header against Russia and Slovakia last October, but failed to get off the bench on that occasion.
“I’ve been in the last few squads and I’d love to play for my country,” he said.
“Getting a game for Ireland would be an unbelievable achievement, but I think the manager wants all his players playing week in, week out for their clubs.”
Birmingham have had a £6million bid accepted by Tottenham for Ireland striker Robbie Keane, according to reports this evening.
City have reached agreement with Spurs to pay an initial £4 million for the Dublin born Ireland international.
But this could rise by additional £2million via various add-ons and clauses in the deal.
Sources close to Birmingham insist any potential deal for Keane is still in its infancy.
Birmingham have been given permission to hold talks with Keane. But the former Liverpool player has yet to discuss personal terms with the midlands club.
City manager Alex McLeish is a known admirer of Keane, who has been told he can leave White Hart Lane after slipping down the pecking order.
McLeish has continually stressed the need for Birmingham to sign a quality striker.
He is aware a lack of goals has seen them become embroiled in a Barclays Premier League relegation battle this season. Midfielder Craig Gardner is their leading marksman with just five goals.
If Keane does move to St Andrew's he will join up with winger David Bentley, who has moved from Spurs on loan for the remainder of the campaign.
Keane spent the second half of last season on loan at Celtic and has had only a bit part role at Spurs this season.
