‘Total shock’, but St Ledger aims to make most of Ireland chance

THIS is clearly not supposed to be a stress-free summer for Sean St Ledger. Having already been forced to cancel one holiday after Preston North End booked a spot in the Championship play-offs, he then saw a second trip to Dubai disturbed in the most unexpected fashion.

Not that he was complaining: not when the interruption was a summons from Abbotstown. Now, as he prepares for his long-awaited international debut in tonight’s friendly with Nigeria, any thoughts of beaches and duty-free shopping can be put in cold storage. As far as St Ledger isconcerned, there is nowhere he would rather be than Craven Cottage.

“It was a total shock,” he said. “You sometimes think that a call-up might come but I wasn’t expecting it this time. I guess I’m just grateful.”