I’m closing on starting place, declares bullish Hunt

STEPHEN HUNT has never given the impression of a man lacking in self-belief and the Reading midfielder was in typically ebullient form last night when he backed himself to reclaim a starting spot in Giovanni Trapattoni’s Irish XI.

The Reading midfielder played the full 180 minutes when Ireland faced Georgia in Mainz and Montenegro in Podgorica but has since been usurped in the queue by the Italian’s preference for Aiden McGeady and the fit-again Damien Duff on the wings.

“I trust myself and believe in my own ability,” he said ahead of tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier. “I’ll back them if they’re playing and I’m sure they will back me if I am playing. That will be the sign of a good team by the end of the qualification.

“I’m happy with the team selection. They deserve to play at the moment but once I get that first game at home and I can show people what I am really capable of doing, then I will be happy.”

His hunger for a starting berth at Croke Park has nothing to do with his hurling roots in Waterford and everything to do with the belief that his selfless appearances in the opening two away fixtures may actually have counted against him.

Trapattoni, as is his wont, prioritised defensive solidity and no-frills football in his first two competitive games and Hunt and McGeady were asked to fill roles which resembled those of a dray horse more than a racing thoroughbred.

Home ties should, on the face of it, offer more opportunities to impress going forward and Hunt got a taste of that last November when he earned 30 minutes in the friendly against Poland and scored a penalty.

“The last home game was a big plus for me, just to get my first goal out of the way, even if it was a penalty. That game was the first time I really showed the manager what I am capable of doing,” recalls Hunt.

“I’ve taken that into this squad. I know the manager is happy with me. You can tell if a manager likes you or not. He will pick me if needs be. I know I’m close to Duff and McGeady. You can just tell. We’ll see what happens.”

If Trap does rate Hunt highly, then the feeling is mutual. Hunt responds to a question about his improvement since becoming an international by tracing it back to Trapattoni’s appointment. Others are rumoured to agree.

Everton, Wigan and Tottenham Hotspur were all listed as possible suitors for his services during the recently-closed transfer window and the player himself has long made soundings suggestive of someone eager to return to the Premier League.

Just like the summer window however, Hunt was still at the Madejski Stadium when the window slammed shut and his links to the club have only been reinforced with a new deal extending to summer of 2012.

The player was critical of the Championship club on both occasions but he clammed up when asked to rehash that old ground last night. There is no £5m buy-out clause, he insisted. Reading and promotion are his goals for the foreseeable future.

“I’ve signed my contract and I’m happy. It was just a headache for six or seven weeks. I never said I was unhappy at Reading and I appreciate what they have done for me.”

Reading stand well positioned to grant his wish of more top-flight football. Third in the Championship table, they have games in hand on both Wolves and Birmingham City, although a lack of goals recently has slowed their progress.

“I want to maximise the opportunity in terms of playing in the Premier League,” said Hunt. “That’s the short-term target and then look forward to next year but the campaign for me now is Wednesday night.”