Ireland missus urges Trapattoni to call up Aston Villa midfielder

Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland's missus is urging Giovanni Trapattoni to pick him for the Republic of Ireland.

Ireland has not played for Republic of Ireland since 2007.

Back then he claimed he could not play against Czech Republic due to the death of his grandmother — but it transpired that she had not died.

Ireland has since been in self-imposed international exile but fiancee Jessica Lawlor says he is now wiser and Republic boss Trapattoni should call him up.

She said: "It's his unfinished dream. He's a lot to prove with them, he's older and more mature now.

"He played his best and was happiest with Ireland."

Ireland, 25, was involved in an F-word exchange with Villa manager Alex McLeish during Sunday's defeat at Newcastle.

But he is tipped to play for Ireland against the Czechs on February 29.