By Mark Heys
January 17 2006

New Republic of Ireland coach Steve Staunton has hinted that he may be about to hand a senior call up to Bolton's teenage right back Joey O'Brien. O'Brien has made the successful conversion from midfield to defence in recent months and is now a regular name on the Wanderers team sheet having replaced the injured Nicky Hunt back in September.

As yet the 19-year old has only progressed as far as the Irish U-21 side but Staunton has tipped both O'Brien and Manchester City player Stephen Ireland to make the full breakthrough sooner rather than later.

"We want to blood new talent, get them through, and we have got some young talent coming through as we have seen with young Ireland and O'Brien and people like that," said Staunton who was unvieled as Brian Kerr's replacement this week.

"Friendlies are there for a purpose. Yes, we want to win and we'd love to win, but we will be trying to bring in one or two newcomers."

Ireland's next match is a home friendly against Sweden on the 1st March.