Sean still sweating on future

Aidan Fitzmaurice

SEAN ST LEDGER admits that it's "scary" to be out of work and out of contract with the start of the new club season so close.

St Ledger will play no part in Leicester City's Premier League campaign next season as he was released by the Foxes at the end of an injury-scarred season which saw him play just one league game for the club.

Some of his international team-mates were in the same boat but while released players like Keiren Westwood, Paul Green and Steven Reid have since found new clubs, St Ledger is still at a loose end.

A move to Australia - now a home for Damien Duff and Andy Keogh - had been mentioned but St Ledger feared that would end his international career so he's hanging on in there in the hope of getting a club, most likely in England.

"It's quite scary. I thought I might have got a club now if I'm honest, but I suppose I was injured a lot last season and this is how it is. I'm fit now and want to get back playing as soon as possible and get a place back in the Irish squad," said St Ledger, who made played just three games for club and country last season.

"Of course I am worried like any other ordinary person. I have bills to pay and mortgages to pay. I have earned decent money during my career but at the same time, I still have things to pay and all that sort of stuff.

"The longer you go without being paid, the more you worry. I just have to keep my head down, work hard and something will come up.

Nick

"I'd say I'm still in pretty good nick to be fair, I wouldn't say I'm past it! I can still run and I have something to give. People are probaby worried that I was injured last season but I;m fit and all I want is a clean slate and somewhere to prove myself all over again," added St Ledger.

"There is nothing at the moment, it seems to be really slow. I've had a few options but it's just about weighing them up and seeing what happens. It's not an ideal scenario as clubs are back around now and there's a lot of players still looking.

"I'm doing my own stuff at home, to stay fit but I'm not the only one in this situation. There are loads of players out there in the same boat. It's about staying fit and seeing what comes up.

"There's hundreds of players in the same boat as me, a lot of much better players. It's becoming a regular pattern in football during the off season."

His international career has also brought frustration: St Ledger started in the friendly away to Poland in November but was replaced due to injury after just half an hour.

"I'm not playing enough football at the moment to warrant a place in the squad and I know that so I'm not complaining," he says.

"Hopefully if I get back playing and my form is good, I will be selected. I don't feel I've let the country down any time I played and I'd love to get back but I know why the manager didn't pick me for the last few games and there's also a few players coming through. I still want to play for Ireland and I believe I can."

Sean St Ledger was speaking at the FAI's Festival of Football in Westmeath. Sean is visiting over 20 clubs around the county this week with Irish legends Ronnie Whelan, John Aldridge and Paul McGrath, along with FAI representatives.