Carsley Seeks Ireland Return

Last updated : 01 September 2006 By Gerry Ormonde

Carsley initially wanted to concentrate on his club career and also get over a serious knee injury.

But the 32-year-old is ready to make himself available to new Republic boss Steve Staunton.

He said: 'I would like to go back. I've spoken to Steve and would love to return. It's not as if they are exactly blessed with an abundance of midfielders.

'So if I could help try to bridge that gap for them, perhaps even if it is just for another season to give the other lads a chance to mature, then that would be great.

'You could see when they played against Holland earlier this month and lost 4-0 that it seemed as if they were thrown straight into the deep end.'