Doherty backing Kerr, irrespective of how World Cup qualifiers pan out

BRIAN KERR has received a ringing endorsement from Gary Doherty, with the Republic of Ireland striker making it clear that he would like to see the embattled manager stay on in the Irish job irrespective of how the World Cup bid pans out.

"Of course," says the Norwich man. "He's our manager and he's done a great job. You [the media] have given him a lot of stick. But the morale's good and we're a really happy team. He's brought Roy back and he has been a great influence on the team, so Brian hasn't done much wrong.

"You obviously gave him a bit of stick over the France game but in that game we played really well and they scored a wonder goal. That was the sickener. That's what football's like."