Soccer: Kinsella looking for place at finals

Mark Kinsella is determined to cast aside any worries he has at club level and stake his claim to becoming Roy Keane’s central midfield partner at this summer’s World Cup finals in Korea and Japan.

Kinsella’s last appearance for the Republic of Ireland was in the second leg of the play-off match in Iran almost a year ago.

Since then he has been hampered by a knee injury, a double hernia, and another knee problem, and has started only nine times for his club Charlton this season.

He is being challenged for a place in manager Mick McCarthy’s first choice XI by Ipswich’s Matt Holland and Colin Healy, who is on loan at Coventry from Celtic.

But Kinsella is set to win his 26th cap in tomorrow night’s friendly against Denmark at Lansdowne Road and after four months on the sidelines he is feeling fit and raring to go.

‘‘As far as I am concerned, I have been ready for the last month and a half,’’ said Kinsella.

‘‘I have been ticking over nicely and if I am chosen to face Denmark I am looking forward to getting a game.

‘‘Playing for Charlton reserves has been good for my fitness, but there is nothing like playing first team football. I had a bad time with injuries but hopefully that is behind me now.

‘‘I have recharged my batteries and hopefully I can play in the last six or seven games in the Premiership.’’

Kinsella, who is usually Charlton’s captain when he plays, insisted there was no problem with his manager at The Valley, Alan Curbishley.

He said: ‘‘I have had a chat with him and things are going fine we are picking points up and he has kept it going and gradually brought me back in on the bench.

‘‘There is not a problem. The team is doing well so you don’t want to change the formation I have just got to bide my time and wait for my chance.’’

McCarthy is hoping that Kinsella’s time on the sidelines recently will work in the Republic’s favour.

He said: ‘‘I was with Alan Curbishley on Thursday and he tells me Kins is fit.

‘‘Charlton have been doing well so he hasn’t been playing, and I can understand that.

‘‘I don’t need to see him play, but he has got every chance of starting on Wednesday.

‘‘In a very selfish sort of way, it suits me fine. He has come back after his knee injury and had longer to rehabilitate, less strain on his knee, which will make him available for me.

‘‘He will be fresher than he would have been if he’s played a full season for Charlton.’’

One of Kinsella’s rivals for a place in the starting line-up tomorrow night is Healy.

He is hoping to earn his second cap after attracting the attention of McCarthy almost by chance.

‘‘Mick came to see Coventry play at Crystal Palace and if it wasn’t for that I probably wouldn’t be here,’’ he said.

‘‘I found out he was there when they showed him on the big screen and I tried a lot harder. Obviously it worked because I made my debut against Russia.

‘‘When I was younger I used to watch Roy Keane on television, so to then play alongside him was a dream come true.’’

Although McCarthy admits to having virtually made up his mind about the squad he wants to take to the finals, he insists the door is still slightly ajar for players like Healy who are hoping to force their

way in.

‘‘The squad who got me there are in pole position, and we’ll see what transpires between now and me naming my 23,’’ said the manager.

‘‘But I am not going to knock anybody’s ambition to go by saying there isn’t any places available.’’