Will Smallbone happy to focus on Ireland amid Southampton upheaval

Southampton will operate in the Championship next season having been relegated but Smallbone will await talks with his new manager before deciding to stick or twist

TAKING IT IN: Will Smallbone poses for a portrait during a Republic of Ireland media conference at Calista Luxury Resort in Antalya, Turkey. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Will Smallbone is among a tight knot of Irish players who could do with a rest but he’s not prepared to let up yet.

The midfielder shared company with John Egan and James McClean from his Championship participation last season, when he spent 3,350 minutes on the pitch during his 46 matches at loan club Stoke City.