Wolves defender Kevin Foley has been told he’s the number one right-back for the Republic of Ireland – despite still waiting to win his first cap.

In-form Foley has been a regular in Giovanni Trapottoni’s full squad for several months but has still to appear, even as a substitute.

The former Luton man came home without a cap again following the 3-2 home defeat to Poland in midweek.

Paul McShane then John O’Shea were preferred, in a game where Wolves team-mate Andy Keogh again featured as he approaches double figures.

But another Molineux colleague – left-back Stephen Ward – is convinced Foley should be in the team on current form.

Ward said: “On current form, he’s Ireland’s best right-back without a shadow of a doubt. I’ve known Kev for years, from young age groups upwards and he’s always been Mr Consistent. Every time he plays in a game you know what you’re going to get from him.

“This season he’s been exceptional – definitely one of our best and most consistent players. It’s just a pity that hasn’t transferred into him winning a senior cap.

“A lot of people are saying it’s a pity he hasn’t come on, but for me, he should have every chance of starting when he goes away.

“In my eyes, he’s good enough to be starting in the Irish XI, so it’s disappointing for him that it hasn’t happened for him yet.
“Paul McShane from Hull is playing there at the moment but he’s more of a natural centre-half, so it’s frustrating for Kev because when you see the form he’s in, you think he might get a game.

“On Wednesday night, with it being a friendly, you would have expected him to have been brought in. He’s been in squads seven or eight times now and not got a run, which is disappointing, especially the way he’s playing here at the moment.”

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy believes both his full-backs deserve a shout in the Irish squad and Ward would love to follow Foley.

He said: “That’s my aim, to get into the squad, but it’s important I keep playing well here because if I keep doing that, hopefully these things will follow.”