Hunt: Ireland’s return could disrupt our squad

STEPHEN Hunt says that he doesn’t believe Stephen Ireland is on the verge of an international comeback – but if he does come back, Hunt reckons it could be hard for some of the current Irish squad to take.

Speaking in Dublin yesterday, the Reading winger initially poured cold water on fresh reports – largely based on comments made by Ireland’s father – that the Manchester City midfielder might be having a change of heart about his international exile.

“I don’t think he’ll come back,” said Hunt. “We’re probably better off forgetting about it until the campaign is finished. He has been the best player for Ireland this year in the Premier League by a country mile. He has been exceptional – there is no doubting that. But for now I don’t think he is going to come back to the Ireland set-up. You might say it will help the camp but it might also hinder the camp too. You never know. But if he comes back into the camp he would be a good player to have and he might get us that extra step to the World Cup – which we may need.