SOCCER: Marco Tardelli is backing Damien Duff to take his club form on to the international stage as he prepares for tomorrow night's World Cup qualifier against Georgia.
The 29-year-old Newcastle midfielder has recently reminded the Barclays Premier League of the talent he showed during his time at Blackburn to win a £17milllion move to Chelsea in the summer of 2003.
His fortunes have dipped more recently, however, and a career-threatening ankle injury did him few favours as he sought to re-establish himself at St James’ Park.
However, having demonstrated his return to fitness during the Republic of Ireland’s end-of-season trip to Portugal last year and the games which have followed it, Duff has turned on the style for his club in recent weeks, culminating in an excellent individual display and the first goal in Saturday’s vital 3-2 win at West Brom.
His new lease of life has not gone unnoticed by the Ireland camp and assistant boss Tardelli has been impressed.
He said: “I have spoken to him and, for me, Damien Duff is a very good player and he is in great form.
“It’s very important because he is a player with good experience. We need Damien Duff and the young players need Damien Duff.”
Duff will be very much the experienced head in the midfield quartet Giovanni Trapattoni sends out against the Georgians.
Celtic’s Aiden McGeady is only 22, while Stoke’s Glenn Whelan is 25 and, should Keith Andrews of Blackburn get the nod ahead of Manchester United youngster Darron Gibson, the 28-year-old would be making his first start at senior international level.
Andrews has forced himself into contention with a run of 15 successive Barclays Premier League starts for his club and would relish the opportunity to build upon the first cap he won as a substitute against Poland in November, a game in which he also scored.
The Dubliner was playing his football in League Two with MK Dons at the end of last season before former boss Paul Ince took him to Rovers, and an appearance in a World Cup qualifier would cap an amazing year for him.
He said: “The last year, year and a half has gone better than I could have imagined, starting off where I was and to get my move, and then the international chance came.
“I have managed to do okay in the time I have been with the Ireland team in terms of training and minutes on the pitch, so if I do get the chance, I will be over the moon.”
Ireland would go level with Group Eight leaders Italy with a win, which would set them up perfectly for the home clash with Bulgaria next month - four days before they meet the world champions in Bari.
Andrews said: “It would be a big boost, especially with the double-header next month. To have got three points on Wednesday night would be very pleasing.
“We are looking for a performance, but the main thing is the result.”
