Wolves left-back Stephen Ward has been backed to be the ideal player for the Republic of Ireland.

Ward earned his first senior call-up yesterday as one of eight uncapped players including Birmingham’s Keith Fahey in Giovanni Trapattoni’s 23-strong squad for a six-day training camp in Malahide, Dublin from May 16 to 21.

The 25-year-old joins Molineux team-mates Kevin Foley and Andy Keogh in an inexperienced party, while Kevin Doyle will also join the squad for two friendlies against Paraguay and Algeria on May 25 and 28 respectively.

Ward is one of Wolves’ most patriotic players and Foley, who knows his team-mate better than most having been at Molineux with him since August 2007, believes his call up has been well earned.

He said: “Stephen’s call-up has come a bit later than I expected. But I know he’ll love to be part of an Ireland squad and it’s something he really deserves.

“Wardy has been fantastic whether it be at left-midfield or left back – wingers rarely get past him.

“In Ireland they want their right midfielders and left midfielders to swap back in as second full-back, so I think that would suit me and him quite well.

“He’s shown what a good utility player he is – strong and quick, either on the wing, at the back or up front and he’s never let us down.

“Last season he was one of our best players. To go from striker to left-back in such a short space of time and adapt to the position really well, he’s done brilliantly.

“He’s been a bit unlucky this season, because it’s been a bit stop-start for him with injuries. But he always gives 100 per cent – you know what you’ll get from Wardy.

“He’s had good players breathing down his neck like George Elokobi, but Stephen has proved he can hold his own and he has fully deserved his chance.”

As for Foley, the former Luton player is looking forward to adding to the solitary full cap won last May in a 1-1 friendly draw against Nigeria at Fulham’s Craven Cottage.

He said: “It’s your country, so I’m looking forward to trying to catch the eye of the manager.

“Hopefully I can add to my one cap – I’ve been away a few times so the chance to get another one would be great.”