Foley tipped to win first cap

Kevin Foley has been tipped to finally win a Republic of Ireland cap – as he was declared Wolves' matchwinner from Saturday and likened to Denis Irwin.

Foley's two goalline clearances in the last nine minutes kept Wolves' 3-2 lead at Watford and saw them back to winning ways.

The 23-year-old full-back has been in impressive form this season. His consistency is shown by missing just two out of 59 league games since his £700,000 arrival from Luton in August 2007.

Foley has been a regular in the Irish squad without playing but now boss Mick McCarthy has championed the player for full honours.

The Wolves boss said: "I would be very reluctant to pick Giovanni Trapattoni's team for him because if anyone ever tried to pick mine, I'd tell them to keep their noses out.

"But if Liam Brady was watching him on Saturday and if he plays like that, who knows? Kev's been a really solid player for us and perhaps doesn't get the recognition he deserves.

"He's seven out of 10 every week and I'd have to up that to maybe nine and a bit for Saturday. Look at the amount of games he's played since he's been here and he's still a very young player.

"Kev's performance, maybe Michael Kightly's and the result were the only things I was happy with."

Matchwinner Michael Gray compared Foley's consistency with former Manchester United and Wolves full-back Irwin.

Gray said: "If I did want to pinpoint anyone, I thought Kevin Foley was outstanding – he was awesome. He's Mr Consistent – someone once said Denis Irwin was a seven or eight out of 10 every week and I think you could probably say that about Kevin as well.

"His awareness was awesome. He probably won us the three points."