Leon’s ‘blessing’ as Trap eyes Best man for the job

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI might not agree, but it is easy to understand why Leon Best described his elevation to the Republic of Ireland squad this week as “a blessing”.

The Coventry City striker has been fast-tracked into a starting role in tomorrow’s friendly with Nigeria thanks to injuries to Kevin Doyle and Caleb Folan but there can be no room for sentiment in the cut-throat world of international football, especially when the rewards are so great.

Best, like his fellow new-boys Sean St Leger and Liam Lawrence, knows that a livewire display at Craven Cottage could catapult him into contention for the serious stuff against Bulgaria on 6 June. For such a low-key game, the stakes tomorrow have suddenly become dizzyingly high.