Alex Pearce is hoping his Championship Player of the Month award for December can push him into the plans of the Republic of Ireland team.

The 23-year old English-born Scotland youth international, who is eligible to play for Ireland, scooped the prize for a run of outstanding performances for the Royals in the final month of 2011 and he hopes it makes RoI boss Giovanni Trapattoni sit up and take notice.

"It is always nice to get recognition like that in winning the award and it is a sign the team are doing well," Pearce told skysports.com.

"We have been doing well recently, keeping clean sheets and I have also chipped in with a few goals which may have swayed the vote in my direction.

"It would be a dream come true for me to play for Ireland at any stage in the future and hopefully things like this award can only help me.

"I think every player wants to play international football and play at the highest level and I am no different.

"I know Mr Trapattoni has come to a few games in the past and hopefully I can get in there and show what I can do and prove myself.

"I believe Mr Trapattoni and his coaching team are aware of me and I will just keep doing what I am doing for Reading and hopefully something will happen with Ireland and they will take a chance on me."

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