The Wolves left-back still has to pinch himself over his international success

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI has often been accused of not giving youth a chance but, then, Greg Cunningham, Eddie Nolan and Ciarán Clark were auditioned by the Republic of Ireland manager before former Bohemians striker Stephen Ward got the job at left-back.

The Italian was seeking a trustworthy replacement for the ageing Kevin Kilbane, a man who eventually played 66 consecutive competitive games over a 12-year period. It looked for some time that Ward’s transition to a full-back at Wolves would go unnoticed, but now it seems he’s been around a lot longer than just 12 remarkably successful months.

“It’s been unbelievable,” says the man who has 10 caps and two goals to his name almost a year to the day from his debut.

“I have to pinch myself when I consider the amount of times I’ve played. When I first came into the squad it was just about getting in there, and trying to make a name for myself.

“I would have been happy with appearances here and there, feeling my way in. The way it’s gone on, with qualification and everything, it’s been brilliant.”

Prior to his debut and first international goal against Northern Ireland in the Carling Nations Cup almost a year ago to the day, there was, as has become customary in the Trapattoni era, a growing clamour for his inclusion.

“I was playing Premier League every week and I wasn’t getting in, but hand on heart I never let it affect me. It was tough seeing the lads at Wolves (Kevin Doyle, Kevin Foley and Stephen Hunt) going away at times. You wanted to be involved. But the manager picks the squad and you have to accept it. I had to make sure I was playing for my club because that was the only way I was going to get my chance to get in.”

Make sure, he did. He featured 34 times in the league last year for Wolves and improved on that again this year.

Despite the obvious disappointment of relegation, Ward is proud of being one of only two players, along with Fulham’s Brede Hangeland, to make 38 full league appearances.

Norwegian Stale Solbakken was the “surprise” choice to guide Wolves back up and Ward, with three years left on his contract, sees no reason to think he’ll not be involved.

For a man who spent his formative years attacking defences, Ward has had to adjust to his new role, especially at international level, where he has, to be fair, endured some shaky moments, though usually in tandem with the rest of the team.

“It’s probably more technical at international level. Premier League can be rush, rush, rush,” says Ward.

“At international level it’s totally different. Games are more vital, as you don’t play as many. If you lose one or two you’re not going to qualify.”

There’ll be little wriggle room next month, then? “It’s going to be tough. I don’t think there is any better practice for that than playing in Premier League against players who will be playing in this tournament.

“We know we’re going to be up against it. The way the manager has us set up, we have a philosophy to our play. We know we can make it hard for teams and can go there and cause a few upsets.”