Westwood ready for 'daunting' task

Keiren Westwood will follow in the footsteps of one of his idols tomorrow night when he makes his first competitive appearance for the Republic of Ireland.

The 26-year-old Coventry goalkeeper will win his sixth senior cap against Macedonia at the Aviva Stadium as he takes over from the injured Shay Given.

Given, who has been capped 110 times, is ruled out with a shoulder injury and his misfortune has robbed manager Giovanni Trapattoni of one of his most experienced and dependable performers.

But Trapattoni and goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly have great faith in his understudy, who admits plugging the gap left by one of the men he looked up to is a daunting prospect.

Westwood said: “He’s dominated the goalkeeping situation for the last 10-plus years, and rightly so because he’s a fantastic goalie.

“I spoke to him when I found out about his injury. It’s terrible luck. He has had a rotten 12 months and I just wished him all the best.

“But he’s a great fella as well and he has helped me as much as he can do. He’s been great for me.

“I try to take everything from him because he’s a great keeper. Any tiny little thing I can take from him, I will gladly grab it with both hands.

“I understand when people say it is daunting, but I am a different keeper to Shay, so I have to just play my own game.”

Given has proved hugely influential as a role model over the years, but Westwood admitted he is not the only keeper whose career he has followed with a keen eye.

He said: “Shay was obviously a massive one because he has dominated the goalkeeping situation for so long.

“But, being a Manchester City fan, Tony Coton was another idol of mine along with Shay.”

Westwood won his first two caps as a substitute, replacing Given in the friendly clashes with Nigeria and Australia in 2009, but has since started games against South Africa, Paraguay and Algeria.

He admits that playing in a Euro 2012 qualifier represents a significant step up, but is excited rather than nervous about the task ahead of him.

He said: “I have played a few friendlies and it’s the next step from the friendlies and hopefully it will go well.

“First and foremost I will just try my best and try to do everybody proud.”

Westwood is not the only beneficiary of a series of injuries which have severely limited Trapattoni’s choices at the back, with John O’Shea and Sean St Ledger also missing and Richard Dunne having not played a game since damaging his shoulder in Aston Villa’s 3-0 FA Cup defeat at Manchester City on March 2.

However, Dunne has proved his fitness in training this week and his presence is a major boost.

Westwood said: “He’s another rock and a key player for the team.”

The injuries could hardly have come at a worse time for the Republic, who can afford no slip-ups against a nation which has caused more than its fair share of problems if they are to close the gap on Group B leaders Russia.

The Russians won in Dublin in October and a draw in Slovakia has left Ireland two points adrift and level with Armenia and the Slovakians.

They head for Macedonia in June and will hope to do so with three points safely banked in a tight group.

Westwood said: “We understand that, but it’s a long campaign and if we look after ourselves, we should be okay.”