St Ledger will have tough stage to audition

After narrowly avoiding a stray plastic bottle kicked in his direction on his last visit to the country, Ireland defender Seán St Ledger is hoping to dodge the full force of Germany’s attack on Friday.

Suspensions to Richard Dunne and John O’Shea triggered the prospect of the Leicester City defender being thrown into a starting berth in Cologne against the runaway leaders of World Cup qualifying Group 6.

Attempting to negate the Mannschaft’s powerful artillery, which has averaged more than three goals per qualifier so far, is a daunting task for a player without a first-team outing for two months. Still, at least he won’t be in the line of Stephen Staunton’s fire on this occasion.

“My debut call-up for Ireland was the match in Stuttgart [in 2006] when I was on the bench and the bottle came flying my way,” he recalled.

“I remember walking out that night and looking at [Michael] Ballack; I couldn’t believe the size of him. All of them were very talented, technical and had great physique. The current squad are extraordinary — probably the best German team for many years. Bayern Munich have a good contingent of them and everyone has seen how good they are.

“I’ve not played much recently – only for Leicester’s U21s – so if I get to start, I could be tired by the end of the night. But I’m generally quite a fit lad and have been lucky with that during my career.

“Without doubt, I was very fortunate to be in this squad. The two suspensions probably helped out but, when the new manager comes in, I need to be playing regularly to warrant my place in the 23-man panel.”

It wasn’t until three years after that qualifier in Germany that St Ledger gained a recall, Giovanni Trapattoni then making him a defensive mainstay for most of his tenure.

That loyalty was repaid last month when the Italian lost his job the day after defeat in Austria.

“I sent a text message to him and Marco (Tardelli) just saying thank you for giving me my chance. It was great to work under such a legend and I really enjoyed it,” explained the 28-year-old.

“Sometimes it’s been a relief to come over here from the club situation and play the games that I have. When I retire, those matches will be something I look back on fondly.”

Before entering that twilight stage, he wants his club future resolved. St Ledger is out of favour at the Foxes and seeking a loan move.

“With the international break, I don’t think teams take people on loan but it possibly might become clear after these two qualifiers,” he said.

“I’ve got to earn a new contract or find myself a new club. Being in the shop window would help.”

That he will certainly have in Cologne, should interim manager Noel King select him alongside Ciarán Clark. He won’t find a tougher stage to audition.