Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland has admitted he is ready to end his international exile and return to the Republic of Ireland squad.
Villa midfielder open to international return with Ireland
Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland has admitted he is ready to end his international exile and return to the Republic of Ireland squad.
The 25-year-old has not played for his country since withdrawing from a Euro 2008 qualifier in controversial circumstances in September 2007.
The then Manchester City player had left the squad to be with his girlfriend, who had suffered a miscarriage.
However, at the time he lied about his reason for leaving the squad, claiming it was because his grandmother had died.
Republic manager Steve Staunton was left furious with Ireland about the incident and despite publically apologising, he has not been selected since.
Staunton has long since been replaced as manager by Giovanni Trapattoni, who has previously indicated his desire to welcome Ireland back into the international fold if and when he feels ready.
Now it appears the midfielder is finally ready to pull on the green shirt once more, but feels the decision is out of his hands.
Contact
"Until the question comes from the FAI, or some kind of contact comes from them, I can't really think about it," Ireland told the
Daily Star.
"Obviously I've matured as a person since then. Things are much more settled and I'm at a club where I am playing. Now the kids are putting pressure on me to play for Ireland.
"Obviously it all could have been dealt with in a better way at the time. But even if it had been I'd still have needed that big gap at some stage anyway.
"I just think it was a very difficult time. Jessica was heavily pregnant as well as having two children to look after. She wants me to go back and wants what's best for my career.
"But I really don't know the answer. It came across as if it was a burden to me to play for my country - but that's not the case."
