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Hunt hopes for Republic role

Image: Noel Hunt: Hoping to make a late push to win a place in Republic of Ireland squad for Euro 2012

Noel Hunt hopes firing Reading to the Premier League will boost his chances of making a late push for the Republic of Ireland squad for Euro 2012.

Reading star keen to gatecrash squad for Euro 2012

Noel Hunt hopes firing Reading to the Premier League will boost his chances of making a late push for the Republic of Ireland squad for Euro 2012. The 28-year-old has been instrumental in Reading's bid for promotion, helping them climb up the table into the second automatic promotion spot in the Championship. Hunt has chipped in with seven goals this term and the all-action forward is hoping to catch the eye of Giovanni Trapattoni before the end of the season to book himself a place on the plane for Poland and Ukraine this summer. "All I have got to do is concentrate on Reading and getting us to the Premier League," Hunt told skysports.com. "That's the big thing and hopefully if I can continue to do that in the manner that I am doing you just never know, there might be a space for me. "You always have to hope and still think you have got a chance and that is what I am doing so I am just concentrating on getting things right for Reading."

Good form

Hunt, who has won four caps for his country, believes he is playing the best football of his career and he hopes Trapattoni and his coaching staff are keeping tabs on his and Reading's progress. "I am playing well at the moment," added Hunt. "I am probably the fittest I have ever been and Brian [McDermott] has me playing in a good role in the team and I would like to think I am helping the boys out. "I can say from my point of view I am playing the best I have been playing, really helping the team out which I hope everyone sees. "It's been fantastic and hopefully if that keeps going you never know. "Hopefully they [Republic of Ireland coaching team] are watching and keeping an eye on all the results and games and you never know what might happen. "You can never say never in this sport so obviously I will just keep doing what I am doing for Reading, working my socks off and giving everything. "I will work as hard as I can for the team, for myself and the manager and hopefully we will see what happens after that."
Dream
Hunt admits it would be a dream come true if he could link up with older brother Stephen in the Republic squad with the Wolves winger already an established member of Trapattoni's plans. "He [Stephen] has been flying the last few years since leaving Reading and obviously I am sure he will be a big part of the squad and hopefully we can meet up again at the Euros as it would be another dream come true, " noted Hunt. Hunt admits he would love to be part of an Ireland squad at a major finals after growing up watching the teams of Italia 90 and USA 94 become heroes in the Republic. "I remember USA 94 and 1990 and they were amazing, fantastic times for the country," continued Hunt. "The country has been on a bit of downslope and it gives something back to the nation to watch and enjoy. "I am delighted we got through and it gives something for the whole country to look forward to in the summer."

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