JOEY O’Brien insists he is ready to continue for both club and country when he returns from injury in the New Year.

The 22-year-old has angrily denied reports suggesting he was ready to quit international football after being overlooked for the Ireland side which drew 1-1 against Cyprus in October.

He was then omitted from Giovanni Trapattoni’s squad for November’s friendly defeat to Poland, with some speculating that his comments had damaged his relationship with the experienced Italian coach.

But O’Brien, currently sidelined with a torn thigh muscle, says he has no rift with the national set-up and is hoping to add to his three international caps when the World Cup qualifiers begin again in February with a home game against Georgia.

Full story in Thursday's The Bolton News