Ian Harte fears his international career may be over despite being named in the Championship team of the year for the second season running.
The Reading man is worried he will never feature for his country again
Ian Harte fears his international career may be over despite being named in the Championship team of the year for the second season running.
The Reading defender, who has not played for his country since 2007, has overlooked by current manager Giovanni Trapattoni and is desperate to feature in the European Championships in the summer.
The 34-year-old has been in red hot form since joining from Carlisle in 2010 and has played a huge role in getting Reading into the Premier League this season.
But Harte believes he may never be feature for his country again after the Ireland boss revealed he did not even know he was eligible.
"I played pretty well last year as well," said Harte. "The manager Giovanni Trapattoni did not come and get me then.
Laugh
"I was speaking to a few of the players and they said he did not realise I was Irish even though I have played 67 times, scored 11 goals and am the second leading scorer in the squad. It would be nice for a shout but I don't think it will happen.
"'I didn't realise he was Irish?' You have just got laugh about it.
"I know what I bring to the team. People have said for the last 10 years that I might have lose my pace, but I have never had the pace.
"It is not as if I had the pace and I lost it. It is all about being clever and getting the better of your opponent
"I am Irish as well and there are a lot of players in the Irish squad that are not even Irish. For me I have played 67 times and I love pulling on the green shirt."
Harte has been rewarded for his fine form by being handed a one-year extension to his current deal at the club.
"I spoke to the gaffer last week and he wants me to stay, which I'm delighted about," Harte told the Reading Post. "Hopefully it will be resolved in the next few days, there shouldn't be any issues."
