Staunton: quitting Ireland right move

STEVE STAUNTON has admitted that his decision to quit international football with the Republic of Ireland is enabling him to extend his career with Aston Villa.

Staunton played his last game for his country in the 2002 World Cup finals after winning a record-breaking 102 caps and eight months later he has no regrets.

He believed the breaks during international weeks and this summer would be beneficial and he has already earned a new one-year contract with Villa which will take him up to the age of 35.