Anthony Gerrard, the younger and less talented cousin of Liverpool talisman Steven Gerrard, is set to become the latest plastic paddy to declare for Ireland this month.
The Hull City defender (on loan from Cardiff) has represented Ireland at youth level in the past and is in the process of confirming his eligibility under FIFA rules ahead of a possible debut in the Carling Nations Cup against Northern Ireland.
The Liverpool born 25-year old qualifies for Ireland because of an Irish grandmother and is likely to have his eligibility confirmed once the relevant documentation has been approved by football’s governing body.
With the likes of Paul Green and Darren O’Dea enduring some unflattering moments in an Ireland jersey in recent times, the thought of yet another Championship player coming into Giovanni Trapattoni’s side will hardly have Irish supporters licking their lips in anticipation, but circumstances are likely to dictate that Trapattoni will need everyone he can get for the Carling Nations game against Northern Ireland on 24 May.
With the Premier League season finishing only two days before the game, Trapattoni has stated that he is unlikely to include anyone involved on the final day against Northern Ireland, while Manchester United duo John O’Shea and Darron Gibson will in all likelihood be required for the Champions League final on 28 May.
The likes of Shane Long, Noel Hunt and Kevin Kilbane, meanwhile, could be involved in play-offs in the Championship and League One, meaning that Trapattoni will be down to the bare bones in terms of available players.
As a result, the Carling Nations Cup clashes against Northern Ireland and Scotland will give the fringe players in the Irish squad an ideal opportunity to impress ahead of the far more important Euro 2012 qualifier with Macedonia on 4 June.
Whether that opportunity should extend to Anthony Gerrard, once of Accrington Stanley (who are they?) is another matter entirely.
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