Pilkington makes a case for Hoolahan

Anthony Pilkington would rather secure Premier League football for Norwich City next season than play in Euro 2012 for the Republic of Ireland, but he’s at a loss to explain how clubmate Wes Hoolahan hasn’t been recalled up by Giovanni Trapattoni.

The Canaries midfielders, along with full-back Marc Tierney, have been watched by assistant Ireland coach Marco Tardelli but no contact has been made as yet, according to Pilkington.

Dubliner Hoolahan has one cap for the senior side from a 2008 friendly against Colombia and Pilkington is baffled the 29-year-old hasn’t added to it.

"We've got a great player in Wes Hoolahan ... I really can't believe he's not in that squad," he told BBC Radio Five Live. "You look at the squad and you see the quality he's got and he should be in there playing every game for them, he's got that much quality.

Former Huddersfield winger Pilkington (23) has played for the Under-21s and would consider the offer if it arrived from the senior set-up, but clearly has more pressing issues on his mind.

“Yeah, I think he’s (Tardelli) been to a few games, I played for the 21s when I was younger. I’ve not had any contact with them, so I’ll have to think about it if anything does come in, but I’m not really thinking about that at the moment.

“I don’t really like to get ahead of myself and start thinking like that because it takes your eyes off what’s more important and staying in the Premier League playing for Norwich is more important at the minute.

“It’s good to be linked to the international set-ups but, ultimately, give me the choice between playing in the Euros at the end of the season or playing in the Premier League next season and I know which one I’d rather.”

Speaking this week, Tardelli said the trio were in Trapattoni’s thoughts and suggested they could yet be involved in the preparations for Poland and Ukraine.

“Maybe it is possible they could play in the (February) friendly, but I cannot say for sure. They know that we follow them, if they play everything is possible.”