O'Brien ponders future

Republic of Ireland centre-back Andy O’Brien could be forced to make a decision over his future before midnight which he knows will have repercussions at international level.

O’Brien has found himself frozen out of the first-team picture at Portsmouth at the start of this season under boss Harry Redknapp, and could now be on his way out of Fratton Park.

With the transfer deadline due to close tonight, the player has been told the club are willing to listen to offers for his services.

However, it is understood the only interest so far has come from a Coca-Cola Championship club willing to take O’Brien on loan.

While the 27-year-old has no desire to leave the Premiership, he appreciates he may have to quit Pompey for a short period if he is to avoid reserve-team football and play his part in his country’s Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

Ahead of Ireland’s opening Group D game with Germany in Stuttgart, O’Brien said: “It’s not been the ideal start for me this season. I’m disappointed I’ve not been involved more.

“That needs to improve because the longer it goes on then the less it will benefit me, certainly at international level.

“It remains to be seen where my future lies, but I had a chat with the manager at the end of last season and, from what I can gather, the club will listen to offers for me if they are satisfactory.

“I don’t want to leave Portsmouth, but I need to play. That’s all I want to do, yet the long-term picture is not good if I’m in the reserves.

“Whether I move or not before the transfer deadline, I don’t know.”

It would appear O’Brien is not in Redknapp’s plans, adding: “My face doesn’t fit at the moment.”

As well as attempting to resolving his immediate future, O’Brien must also focus on Saturday’s clash with Germany at the Gottlieb-Daimler Stadium.

With Ireland hopefully back to full strength after missing several star names for the 4-0 friendly defeat to Holland two weeks ago, O’Brien is convinced Steve Staunton’s side can cause an upset.

“People were saying how everything was rosy after we beat Sweden 3-0, and now all of a sudden they’re saying it isn’t,” remarked O’Brien.

“I think people read too much into the last result. At least we have a chance to put it right against Germany, and we can do that.

“What we cannot do is go there with fear. We have to go there with confidence, and make sure we’re up for a battle.

“It’s a difficult start to the campaign, but if we can get a good result then it will bode well for the future.”

Although Shay Given, Damien Duff, Stephen Carr, Stephen Elliott and Manchester United midfielder Liam Miller all sat out training yesterday, Staunton confirmed their absence “was nothing serious”.

Richard Dunne and Gary Doherty suffered a clash of heads, with the latter also falling on his ankle. However, both should be fit.

It means Staunton should have his strongest line-up available for Germany, and he said: “I know who I want to play.”

“A lot of the lads weren’t over for the Dutch game, but I know they are keen and eager.

“I know what sort of performance I will get. They will be hungry, wanting to do well for their country. That’s the most important thing.”