Anthony Stokes insists he never blamed tiredness for his absence from Ireland squad for the internationals in May and June – and concedes he is now unlikely to be recalled by Giovanni Trapattoni.
Stokes was one of five notable absentees from Giovanni Trapattoni’s squad for the games against Northern Ireland, Scotland and Italy.
Marc Wilson, Caleb Folan, Jonathan Walters and James McCarthy were the other four players to go missing for the games.
Trap’s side won all three internationals, lifting the inaugural Four Nations Cup and claiming the scalp of the Azzurri in a memorable performance in Belgium. (Or, it would have been memorable if anyone had seen it.)
While McCarthy has been subsequently recalled, Stokes remains on the periphery – and he believes his international career will remain stagnant for as long as Trapattoni remains in charge.
He said, “I was asked about it once or twice and I didn’t really say too much but I never came out and said that I was too tired: I think that came from the Irish camp.
“I just didn’t feel that I needed to come out and explain every reason for my not going. It was a short run-in and we only had three weeks off after a long, hard season and players need to rest up sometimes.
“With me not going to that last squad I’ll struggle to get in again. I want to play for Ireland but I can see with Trapattoni there that I’m going to struggle.
“There’s nothing I can really do about that other than concentrate on my club form and see where that takes me. Hopefully, I’ll get the call but if it doesn’t come then there’s nothing more I can do.”
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