Kerr hits back at Harte attack

REPUBLIC of Ireland manager Brian Kerr has hit back at claims by Ian Harte he is being frozen out of the international scene.

Harte has not played under Kerr since making a surprise summer move to Primera Liga side Levante following Leeds' relegation from the Premiership.

Yesterday, the Levante-based full back was quoted as saying that the Irish manager hasn't returned his calls, even after the player asked assistant manager Chris Hughton to act as go-between. "It's a joke and disappointing that after playing 58 times for my country and scoring nine goals, he can't pay me a bit of respect and give me a call," said Harte.