FAI hope to convince McCarthy to stay after 2004

THE FAI will try to persuade Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy to stay on beyond the European Championships in 2004.

McCarthy said earlier this week he would walk away from the job in 2004, regardless of whether his side qualify for the championships in Portugal.

He added that he wants to return to club management and was favourite to take over from Peter Reid at Sunderland before Howard Wilkinson’s surprise appointment.

But FAI general secretary Brendan Menton said FAI officials would discuss the situation with McCarthy before his current contract runs out.

“We have risen to 13th in the FIFA rankings and reached the last 16 of the World Cup,” Menton told Sky Sports News. “Mick has been very, very successful and that has to be recognised. Mick’s results have been fantastic.

“We are delighted the Sunderland issue was quickly put to bed. We are not surprised his name is linked when jobs come up.

“We are delighted he is staying for the full Euro 2004 campaign and we will be speaking to him. We have a young team that is only improving. Mick may have his own ambitions but we will certainly sit down with him before the end of his current contract.”

Meanwhile Millwall will be without Republic of Ireland striker Richard Sadlier for at least three more months because of a second hip operation.

The 23-year-old had surgery at the end of last season but never fully recovered and, except for one substitute appearance in August, he has been sidelined since.

Sadlier saw a specialist last week who recommended a second operation, due to take place today, and said it would take three months to get fit.