Republic of Ireland international Alan Quinn has joined Sunderland on a three-month loan deal from second division Sheffield Wednesday in a bid to revive his international career.
The midfielder was yesterday omitted from Brian Kerr's squad for next weekend's crucial Euro 2004 qualifier against Switzerland. The manager cited the need for the player to be playing at least first division football.
Despite winning Wednesday's player-of-the-year award last season, the 24-year-old Dubliner feels his future lies away from Hillsborough and is making the loan move to Mick McCarthy's side with a view to a permanent deal.
Quinn earned his first call-up to the senior squad for Ireland's match in Georgia in March 2003 and made his debut as a substitute against Norway in April.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Chris Turner explained the transfer. "Alan was left out of the [Ireland] squad this week and it was mentioned that he needs to be playing First Division football, so this is a chance for him on that score."
Quinn joins fellow internationals (both senior and under-21) Gary Breen, Colin Healy, Jason McAteer, Phil Babb, Thomas Butler and Sean Thornton at the Stadium of Light.
In return, Wednesday will bring former Irish under-21 international Michael Reddy to Hillsborough from Sunderland. Turner has been tracking Reddy's progress since having the 23-year-old on loan at the club for five months at the start of the year.
Meanwhile, Bray Wanderers striker Eamonn Zayed has been called up to the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad for the Euro 2004 qualifier against Switzerland next Friday. He replaces Cork City's John O'Flynn who has a knee ligament injury.