St Ledger told Irish spot is his to lose as Brady sings praises
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SEAN ST LEDGER has been told that the role as centre-half partner to Richard Dunne is his to lose.
The Preston defender emerged from outside the picture to star in the early summer double-header with Nigeria and Bulgaria and Irish assistant manager Liam Brady has confirmed he will keep his place for tomorrow's friendly with Australia at Thomond Park.
And Giovanni Trapattoni favours keeping the duo together for next month's crunch World Cup qualifier in Cyprus, with John O'Shea set to continue at right-back.
"I think the manager will start with the team that's going to confront Cyprus," said Brady, yesterday. "It's a chance for St Ledger again with Richard at the centre of defence and John at the right.
"We've been impressed by his composure and his reading of the game. He's not a giant by any means but he reads the game very well.
"He's got good leadership qualities, he's demonstrated that at Preston over the last couple of seasons and he's given the manager the impression that international football wouldn't be a problem for him.
"I think against Bulgaria and Nigeria -- although Nigeria wasn't a World Cup qualifier -- he demonstrated that he had those qualities which the manager was looking for."
Kevin Doyle will also line up against the Australians, although he will be withdrawn at the break with Mick McCarthy keen for his summer purchase to get a full half under his belt as he returns from a hernia operation.
Meanwhile, Trapattoni will also rotate central-midfield options Glenn Whelan, Keith Andrews and Darron Gibson in a bid to work out his chosen pair for the Cypriot encounter -- with Steven Reid unlikely to be fully fit for Nicosia even though he was set to play behind closed doors for Blackburn last night.
"We might share the game between the three midfield players," Brady continued.
"Kevin Doyle will play. Mick McCarthy was kind to let him come when there were doubts about him. We're delighted that's the case. It will be him and Robbie (Keane) that will start the game."
After a number of late arrivals due to club commitments, 23 players trained at the home of St Michael's AFC in Tipperary yesterday, with Leon Best of Coventry the only absentee due to the foot injury he picked up against Ipswich on Sunday.
- Daniel McDonnell
