Finnan tempted by Ireland return

Steve Finnan has hinted at a return to the international stage and indicated he will let Giovanni Trapattoni know before the first World Cup qualifier in Georgia on September 6th.

The 32-year-old retired from the national side after failure to reach Euro 2008 under the guidance of Steve Staunton.

Trapattoni has been keen to see the Liverpool full-back, Manchester City's Stephen Ireland and defender Andy O'Brien return since he took control of the national team.

He met with the trio in May prior to the squad's training camp in Portugal and the friendly matches against Serbia and Colombia, claiming afterwards that Finnan would return but needed to undergo surgery on a hernia first and ruled himself out for the summer.

"He said to me, 'when I'm fit I'll come back'," insisted Trapattoni when he was naming his squad for the May matches.

The manager is less optimistic that Ireland and O'Brien will join in the qualification push for South Africa 2010.

Both are yet to speak on the issue but Finnan, a European Cup winner with Liverpool in 2005, today told his club's official site that working with Trapattoni was "very tempting".

"We're going to have a chat," said Finnan. "When a new manager comes in that's normal, and out of respect you have to do so.
 
"The opportunity to work with someone of that experience is very tempting. He's got a great CV and he's done really well at lots of clubs. Everyone in my position would consider it.
 
"No deadline's been put on making a final decision but I take it he'll want to know before the first World Cup qualifier."

The comments appear less convincing than the manager's own view on the matter when asked last month but with another meeting on the cards Trapattoni will once again have a chance to spread that contagious enthusiasm that appears to have already rubbed of on a previously jaded squad.

It is also likely that if Finnan is to return the manager would prefer to see him in action in the friendly against Norway in Oslo on August 20th before tough away fixtures against Georgia and Montenegro.