Source: Daily_Mail
Keith Andrews eager for Republic of Ireland's Italy test
ShareKeith Andrews is the last man who will be asking for a rest in Belgium. [LNB]The season finishes in Liege on Tuesday but the Blackburn midfielder's is only just starting, after nine months of injuries and hospital drips. [LNB]'I'm playing more games now than I have all year,' he said. 'Don't worry I'll be in Liege.'[LNB] Back in action: Republic of Ireland and Blackburn midfielder Keith Andrews (right)[LNB] After coming through the Carling Nations Cup triumph with clear run-outs against Northern Ireland and Scotland, Andrews was also going to play in Macedonia. [LNB]Once he had proved he was fit again, and nearly running at full capacity, the 30-year-old slotted back into Giovanni Trapattoni's central midfield slot with Glenn Whelan in Skopje. [LNB]He said: 'It was very pleasing to be back in again and it is just nice to be back playing football pain free. [LNB]'The manager has shown nothing but faith in me since I have come into the squad and I am always selected when I am fit. [LNB] Crucial win: Andrews (right) celebrates with Robbie Keane in Macedonia[LNB]'And we got a massive result. Skopje isn't a nice place to come to, quite hostile at times, it was very humid and warm and the pitch was very bobbly. [LNB]'The main thing was the result. I thought it was a very professional and solid performance.' [LNB]And although Ireland will be looking to finish their season with a win over Trapattoni's home nation, Andrews' eyes are firmly on building on Saturday's win.[LNB] In fact he believes the victory against Macedonia could be the turning point in Ireland's luck under the Italian. He said: 'We expected Russia and Slovakia to win their games so there was a bit of extra pressure on us. [LNB]'But I'm delighted to be going into the September double header with ourselves level at the top. We're full of confidence, we have a good squad and we can go forward from here. [LNB]'We had a slice of luck with the penalty obviously and hopefully that is one that we are going to get this time round in this campaign that will hopefully see us qualify. In the last campaign we certainly did not get any luck.' [LNB] Trapattoni warns stay-away Ireland stars have no guarantee of returning to teamKeane half-century leaves him at top of British and Irish goalscoring chartsAnother blow for Trap as Ireland captain Keane suffers injury scareYou won't wait Long to play in the top flight, Tardelli tells Reading striker [LNB] Explore more:People: Keith Andrews Places: Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Italy, Belgium, Macedonia, Russia
