Republic of Ireland defender Stephen Carr yesterday revealed how he is still struggling following the knee injury that forced him out of last year's World Cup finals.
Carr damaged his knee in 2001 and was sidelined for a year following surgery but despite recovering to feature 32 times for Tottenham last season, the full-back believes he is only running at 70 per cent.
Carr said: "It's not a nice thing to admit after a year, but I found it difficult to get the fitness andsharpness back," he said yesterday from the Republic's base in Portmarnock.
"I'm trying to get back to my best but I haven't reached that level yet. I'm not happy with the way I'm playing, I could be doing a lot better but I'm sure I'll get back there. It's taking longer than Ithought. Why, I'm not sure? Maybe the injury took a lot more out ofme than I thought."
The 26-year-old played an important role in Brian Kerr's side thatreturned with four points from Georgia and Albania and as heprepares for the upcoming return games, Carr dismissed notionsthat those fitness concerns could hamper his aspirations of liningout against Albania on Saturday.
"We've got some good sessions in recently and I'm just aboutticking over getting ready for Saturday. There are no easy games inthis group. They're all tricky in their own way. Albania have gotsome very good players but I think it will be a different game inLansdowne. . .we need the six points, nothing less."
"It's all about how we approach the game. I think it's important thatwhoever does play full back on Saturday gets higher up the pitch andpushes their wing backs back. We need to dictate the game more."
Having missed last summer's adventure in the Far East, Carr ishungry to reach the European Championships. He found it difficultto watch Ireland's games last summer and while "happy to see thelads do well" said it made him "angrier" watching it back home.
He believes the experience gained in Japan by the youngermembers of the squad will stand Ireland in good stead for theremaining four qualifiers. Damien Duff in particular will play amajor role in Ireland's bid to qualify for Portugal and Carr singled outthe Blackburn star for high praise.
"I couldn't separate him from any other player I've playedagainst as a full back. I've played against the likes of Giggs, Overmars,Kewell, Figo and he's up there with them. He's a great player consideringhis age and will become an unbelievable player with a bigger club on abigger stage."
Carr, meanwhile, refused to speculate on the ongoing reportslinking him with a move away from White Harte Lane. A host ofclubs, notably Arsenal and Newcastle, are said to be interested.
"I've still got two years left at Spurs," he said. However,asked about his disappointment at the club failing to secure Europeanfootball, Carr did concede: "I've been at Spurs a long time and if it'snot happening for me (qualifying for Europe in the future) I'll have tomove."
