AMBITIOUS ENDA EYES WARD SPOT

ENDA STEVENS is still learning the ropes at international level but that won’t deter him from pushing Stephen Ward for his Republic of Ireland left-back shirt.

Ward remains first-choice although he was not involved in three summer games just gone.

His Burnley team scaled the heights in the Premier League by nailing down seventh place and securing European football.

Ward played his part in that but he asked Martin O’neill not to be considered for selection against Celtic, France and USA as he wanted time for a recurring knee injury to settle.

O’neill granted him that wish but when he publicly discusses the left-back role, the manager stops short of offering Ward cast iron guarantees for the future.

For the games just gone, Derrick Williams, Stevens and Greg Cunningham were all given a run in that position with O’neill urging them to wrestle the shirt off Ward (right).

Blackburn defender Williams was the one who stepped forward with a solid display on debut away to France, only to suffer a groin injury that kept him out of the USA game.

Stevens - drafted up for the first time for the March friendly in Turkey - came off the bench in that Aviva Stadium farewell for John O’shea to win his first cap.

And while the Sheffield United man, 27, appreciates he has a long way to go, he hopes to have done enough to convince O’neill that he is worth a punt.

Stevens said: “It’s what I want to be part of - you want to play for your country and it’s been a great experience for me.

“The lads have been brilliant from day one. I’ve enjoyed the training, the togetherness, the camaraderie and it’s just a great experience.

“You’re playing with the best players in the country. Especially over in Turkey I noticed it, the step up in training, the standard was so high and it took me time to get to grips with it.

“It comes down to how you perform for your club. If you’re playing well, you’re hoping to get that call up.

“The gaffer has the pick of the country to play at left-back. Stephen Ward’s been terrific but if you want someone to push him, I’m willing to step up to the plate.”