THE IMPACT made by Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland during his first year in senior competitive football suggests that of all the players Giovanni Trapattoni is trying to woo back into the Ireland fold, the 21-year-old from Cobh is the most important, reports Emmet Malone.
Since leaving the squad controversially midway through the trip to Slovakia and Prague last September and then declining a call-up for the games against Germany and Cyprus the following month, Ireland has sent out mixed signals regarding his willingness to return.
When Don Givens opted not to consider him for selection the player described the caretaker manager's attitude as "childish" and said he was ready and willing to return for the new permanent appointee whoever that might be.
More recently, however, those close to him have suggested he still reluctant to rejoin a squad he doesn't feel at ease with.
Trapattoni admits the young midfielder's intentions remain unclear but say he is encouraged by his initial talks with Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson ahead of his meeting with Ireland himself in around 10 days' time.
"He (Eriksson) said you have to speak to him because he's young," remarked the Italian. "He didn't say he's not coming. He said he's a very promising player and special technically. He said if you talk to him it's probably doable, he might come back. (And) Stephen never said that he doesn't want to play for the national team."
With the new manager also intending to meet Steve Finnan and Andy O'Brien during the coming days, the announcement of the 28-man squad for the training camp in Portugal later this month has been delayed and is now provisionally pencilled in for the 13th, just three days before the squad is supposed to travel.
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