Retired McAteer will be on hand if Ireland hit injury crisis

BRIAN Kerr revealed yesterday that veteran midfielder Jason McAteer has offered to come out of retirement for Ireland if the manager runs into an injury crisis.

McAteer, aged 33 and the holder of 52 International caps, has had his run with Ireland interrupted regularly over the past couple of seasons by injuries. After being forced to ask the Irish manager not to consider him for tomorrow’s game against Cyprus and Wednesday’s match against Switzerland, he decided to call a halt.

He said: “To retire from competing for your country is probably the toughest decision for any sportsman. I am now 33-years-old and have suffered with a couple of injuries in recent years which has affected me both mentally and physically. I feel the time is right to step aside and let the talented youngsters have a go.”