Youngster Ferguson commits to North

NEWCASTLE UNITED youngster Shane Ferguson has reaffirmed his commitment to Northern Ireland to end speculation he could defect to the Republic of Ireland.

FIFA rules mean players born in Northern Ireland can play for the Republic, and the likes of Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson and Everton defender Shane Duffy have chosen to do just that in the recent past.

However, 20-year-old Ferguson, who has represented Northern Ireland at senior international level, but only in a friendly, has decided to stick with the North.

The Derry-born player, who played for the Under-21s in their 2-0 defeat by Serbia on Tuesday, said: “A lot of stuff was said in the past with people thinking I was going to switch to the Republic of Ireland and in the summer, I had a couple of options.

“I just wanted to take my time and think what I wanted to do, and a lot of people jumped the gun when I wasn’t in one of the squads.

“But my heart is with Northern Ireland and always has been. I’ve represented them since I was a kid and I want to play for them for as long as I can.’’

Elsewhere, though he expressed the hope in Dublin on Tuesday night that he could be recovered from injury in time for tomorrow’s game against Bolton Wanderers, Shane Long looks like he will have to be patient for a little longer at West Brom.

The striker missed Ireland’s play-off against Estonia having chipped a bone in his knee last month following a controversial tackle by Aston Villa’s Alan Hutton. But despite his eagerness to return to the fray, Baggies manager Roy Hodgson, although praising his striker’s desire, has suggested that even next week’s game against Spurs could come too soon for Long.

“Shane has worked unbelievably hard,” said Hodgson.

“He has had no days off since it happened and no-one could have done more to give himself a chance. He is certainly not behind schedule. Our medical department said four to six weeks and four weeks would be now. I think six weeks will definitely be met and if we are lucky, who knows?”

Meanwhile, Long’s club and country colleague, Simon Cox, has said that their Hawthorns team-mate Steven Reid would be delighted to be selected for the Irish squad for the Euro finals, even though Giovanni Trapattoni seems to regard the 30-year-old, who has bounced back from numerous injuries, as yesterday’s man.

“I’m sure Reidy would love nothing more than a chance to play for Ireland again,” said Cox.

One man unlikely to be on the plane for Poland and Ukraine is Anthony Stokes and the Celtic man admits his international future is “out of my hands”. Stokes was not included in the squad for the double-header against Estonia and admits he will now struggle to get back in for next summer.

“That’s out of my hands,” he said. “I just want to play as well as I can and give myself the best chance.

“If I am scoring goals and playing week in, week out, there is not a lot else I can do.

“A season or two ago I wasn’t playing and Trapattoni still picked me but the lads in the squad are doing well so I can’t have any complaints really.

“I would love to be (included) but I just have to focus on my club form and do as well as I possibly can.

“The ball is in his court and I can’t do much more than I’m doing at the minute.”

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez, meanwhile, reckons midfielder James McCarthy has the potential to be one of the stars of Euro 2012.

“A lot of players find it difficult to perform on the big stage, they become a little bit emotional which takes away some of the energy from their game,’’ Martinez said. “But in James’ case, the bigger the occasion, the bigger the performance, and I’m looking forward to watching him rub shoulders with the best in Europe.’’

Picture: Anthony Stokes: hopes his club form can earn him Ireland recall