Carsley urges Trap to include Ireland in Euro plans

Lee Carsley believes Giovanni Trapattoni has to consider Stephen Ireland in his European Championships plans.

And the former Ireland international insists none of his old team mates will complain if the controversial Aston Villa midfielder is included.

Ireland has not played international football since September 2007’s infamous ‘grannygate’ incident and he has never shown a strong desire to return, despite recent comments from wife Jessica that he is interested in making the trip to Poland in June.

Trapattoni is unlikely to name Ireland in his squad tomorrow for this month’s friendly with Czech Republic, but Carsley still believes his former teammate has too much talent to ignore.

“I was watching Robbie Keane play last week and noticed Stephen Ireland is going really well at Aston Villa,” said 39-times capped Carsley.

“It’d be very interesting to see him in the Ireland team in this form. People talk about some lads not having him back, but I can’t see one player kicking up a fuss if he comes back into the team. He’s a quality player and a good lad. When I was in the squad, the papers tried to make out that he was bullied or shunned but he was a right laugh. He was playing well at Man City at the time, and he’d sit in the dressing room and have some craic. Maybe there was more than he let on going on off pitch, but with him on it he’d be more than capable to help us against Spain and Italy.”

Ireland won just six caps during his short international career, but such was his impact in those games — scoring four goals — his absence remains a constant source of debate.

“When he’s played for Ireland he’s been outstanding,” argued Carsley, who started in midfield alongside Ireland in the infamous 2-1 victory over San Marino in 2007 and the first soccer international at Croke Park against Wales.

“Look back to that Wales game at Croke Park, Stephen was head and shoulders our best player on the pitch, and he scored a great goal.

“He also got us out of the mire in San Marino, I’ll never forget that goal either.”

Carsley also believes Trapattoni should make room for James McClean in tomorrow’s squad — but believes the Sunderland winger needs to play more Premier League football before he secures a place on the plane to Euro 2012.

“Well, playing Damien Duff and Aiden McGeady is a no-brainer, they’re going to be there, but it does the squad no harm to have someone there with no expectations, no pre-conceived ideas — just throw him in. He’s certainly an option, if you’re looking to the bench and need to get up the pitch, take some pressure off. He has a fair bit of pace, that would be a great asset. I’d like to see him play a few more games in the Premier League first, though. It’s important you earn your call up and while he’s impressed, he needs to show that ability over a longer period.”

Meanwhile, Newcastle have confirmed striker Leon Best is facing several weeks on the sidelines as he recovers from a knee ligament injury.

The 25-year-old Republic of Ireland international damaged his knee in a first-half block tackle with Stephen Warnock during Sunday’s 2-1 Barclays Premier League victory over Aston Villa.

A club statement said: “Newcastle United can confirm that Leon Best has sustained medial ligament damage to his left knee. The striker was forced off in the early stages of Sunday’s home victory over Aston Villa having picked up an injury while trying to get a shot away. Best underwent a scan on Tuesday and will be out for a number of weeks.”