Pennant sets sights on Ireland

Pennant: Eyeing Ireland call-up

Jermaine Pennant is keeping his fingers crossed on a Republic of Ireland call-up after informing manager Giovanni Trapattoni he is eligible to play.

"If I've got a chance to play international football with Ireland, I'm going to take it with both hands."
Jermaine Pennant Quotes of the week

The Nottingham-born Stoke winger, who qualifies to feature through his Irish grandfather, has recently been in contact with the FAI (Football Association of Ireland) regarding a potential call-up.

And the 28-year-old is now waiting eagerly ahead of the impending Euro 2012 qualifiers to hear from the national side.

"I'm 28, I'm not getting any younger and I'd like to play international football," Pennant told Stoke's official website.

"I actually looked into it and texted my agent. I think he's contacted them to say 'he's eligible to play and he's interested', so we'll see what happens.

"If I've got a chance to play international football with Ireland, I'm going to take it with both hands."

Interested

He added: "Now they know that I'm interested, maybe they'll start watching me in games.

"You can't just click your fingers and say 'pick me for the team'. You've got to be playing well for your club before you play for any country."

After picking up 24 caps at England Under 21 level, Pennant admits he is disappointed not to have made the breakthrough into the senior set-up.

He said: "I'd love to play for England, of course I would, but it's just never happened and to be quite honest I don't think it's going to happen in the future.

"Not because of my ability, but maybe misdemeanours in the past that have put that to a halt.

"They're looking at younger, up-and-coming talent which is great for the country."