| Trundle aims at call-up for the Boys in Green BY
PHIL CAMPION
 HEARD the one about
the Englishman playing his football in south Wales who wants to play for
Ireland?
The man in question is Swansea’s Liverpool-born Lee Trundle who
is one of the Third Division side’s leading players and also their
top-scorer.
Trundle believes he could be one of the solutions to the Republic’s
current goalscoring problems and after already netting 17 league goals
this season the 29-year-old Scouser certainly has a strong case for inclusion
in manager Steve Staunton’s first squad against Sweden on March
1.
Trundle’s goals have made him a cult hero in South Wales since he
came to the Liberty Stadium from Wrexham three years ago. His career for
the Swans has so far yielded 56 goals in 96 appearances and although age
may be against his selection at international level Trundle still hopes
to realise his dream of becoming one of the Boys in Green.
While his case for selection has been somewhat ridiculed by the media
in Ireland, Trundle insists he is no international mercenary and his availability
for the Republic also has the full support of his teammate and former
Irish under-21 goalkeeper Brian Murphy.
Murphy said: “Ever since I’ve known him he has told me stories
about growing up and running around the streets of Liverpool wearing an
Irish jersey while his pals were all wearing England tops.
“Lee was even offered the chance to play for Northern Ireland but
he wasn’t interested. He has only ever wanted to play for the Republic.”
Trundle is fully committed to representing the Republic and already quite
a number of Irish journalists have run stories linking the Liverpudlian
with possible call-ups by the previous manager Brian Kerr.
Trundle said: “I understood why Brian didn’t pick me. He was
under a lot of pressure and had to go with established players but hopefully
it will be a lot different with Steve. I just want the chance to show
what I can do and hopefully Steve will call me up for the friendly against
Sweden.”
Trundle is certainly proud of his Irish heritage.
He said: “My granddad is from Inchicore in Dublin and ever since
I was a young lad I’ve had my heart set on playing for Ireland.
He’s dead now but he would be proud to see me playing for his country.”
The Swans’ top marksman cites Staunton’s former colleagues
Hough-ton, Townsend and Aldridge who were not born in Ireland but were
proud to wear the green shirt and he hopes to follow in their footsteps.
He said: “None of these lads were from Ireland but like me they
all had Irish blood in them and strong family links.”
Trundle would particularly love the opportunity to emulate his idol John
Aldridge and enjoy some of his success in a green jersey. Like the former
Liverpool star he was also a late starter in football.
Trundle believes he can bring the huge success he has enjoyed at Swansea
in the last three years on to the international stage and not surprisingly
his club are keen to offer him a three-and-a-half year contract soon.
However before the Everton supporter commits himself there are a number
of other interested parties including Portsmouth’s Harry Redknapp
who has been monitoring Trundle’s progress at the Liberty Stadium.
Ireland’s manager Steve Staunton could soon be joining him.
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