Mark Kinsella is hoping to use tonight's friendly international with Turkey as a chance to stake a claim for a place in Brian Kerr's starting eleven for next month's decisive Euro 2004 Group 10 qualifier in Switzerland.
The Aston Villa midfielder was dropped for Ireland's 1-1 with Russia on Saturday, with Colin Healy edging him out and now that Kerr has told Kinsella he will feature against Turkey tonight, he is ready to grab that chance with both hands.
The Irish and Aston Villa ace said: "I want to go out and play well and hopefully push for a place in the team for the next game. When Brian told me the team for Saturday I was disappointed but got on with it and fortunately for me there were injuries to other players which mean I have got the nod. I want to go to Switzerland and play but so do the 23 other players who were in this squad."
Kerr revealed that while he will using tonight's game with Turkey to experiment, there are places up for grabs for the trip to Switzerland for anyone who can impress. "There's every chance for the people who didn't start against Russia to play themselves into the team for Switzerland between now and then, in tonight's match and over the next few weeks in their club football," he said.
The Irish boss also paid tribute to Kinsella's patience and understanding, saying: "Mark has been in the group a long time and he's very professional. When I told him he wasn't in the side on Saturday he took the decision like the professional that he is and was supportive of what we were trying to doand he was constantly reminding other players of their roles and duties."
Filed by Rob Wright
