Macken and Nolan on wanted list

MANCHESTER City striker Jon Macken and Bolton midfielder Kevin Nolan are still on the wanted list of Republic of Ireland boss Brian Kerr.

The duo played representative football for England at under-age level, but their parents and grandparents were born in this country.

FIFA have introduced a new rule that players who played for countries at under-age level, may still qualify for another nation at senior level. That's when it becomes complicated. The governing body of world football says that only those with dual passports can play for another country.

That information was relayed to former Republic boss Eoin Hand when he made communication with headquarters in Switzerland.

Brian Kerr said: "I have asked the FAI to look at the situation and seek clarification. Our International Secretary Chris Ryan has pointed out that Fredi Kanoute (Mali) was eligible to play for his newly-adopted country in the recent African Nations Cup Finals. We just have to wait and see."

Manchester City striker Macken, who scored that vital second goal against derby rivals Manchester United would be a serious candidate for a place up front in the Irish squad.

And you cannot rule out the claims of Bolton's Kevin Nolan who played a major part in his team's progress to the recent Worthington Cup Final.

Despite weekly high-profile bulletins from Blackburn boss Graeme Souness, midfielder Jonathan Douglas has not yet come into Kerr's preparations for the forthcoming World Cup qualifying campaign.

"Young Douglas is doing very well and of course, he is fully qualified, being Irish-born. It's a time for experimentation before our first games in the World Cup qualifying campaign, starting in September," said Kerr.

The Irish boss was at the National Museum, Collins' Barracks in Dublin yesterday to help officially launch the 2004 eircom League campaign. And he had a word of warning for over-ambitious clubs as the 10 Premier Division sides and 12 First Division sides set out on their path for glory.

"Back in 1990, when I led St Patrick's Athletic to the title, the cost of wages and upkeep for the whole team was a mere £1,100. Then, six years later, we managed to win the league title again and the budget then per week was £2,300," said Kerr.

"Now, I have been speaking to various eircom League managers and am shocked by hearing that players are receiving four times as much as when I departed St Pat's. Gate receipts and commercial revenue have not gone up since then," he said.