Walsall warhorse Steve Staunton is still being tipped for the Republic of Ireland's new management set-up - by one of his most long-standing team-mates.
Mark Kinsella has been a dressing-room colleague of Staunton's since appearing alongside him at the start of his own 48-cap international career in 1998. He has also played alongside him at club level for Aston Villa and Walsall.
Despite Terry Venables having emerged as the frontrunner for the Irish job vacated last month by Brian Kerr, Kinsella suggests that it would be unwise to rule out 'Stan'.
"I was back over in Dublin last week doing Match of the Day for Irish television," Kinsella said, "and I know Terry Venables is in the frame, which means Stan probably won't get the job.
"I know they're working to a time limit as the next draw for the European Championships is in January and we need somebody in by then to discuss where we'll be playing our games and all that sort of thing. But there are certain dangers in bringing in an outsider.
"Playing for the Republic of Ireland is like playing for a club side, because of the togetherness you enjoy playing for them that has been handed through from Jack Charlton to Mick McCarthy.
"And if you're going to go for an outsider, you need somebody with a grasp of all that has gone before.
"Stan might not have experience as a manager yet but he has played for Ireland 102 times, he has played with all the current team and knows what it's all about, and he would not be a bad choice.
"He knows the Damien Duffs and Robbie Keanes individually, having played with them only two or three years ago. And he'd have them all on his side.
"We weren't winning before Jack Charlton took over, then, all of a sudden, we were winning games 1-0. Not pretty, but the lads worked their socks off to get through. Terry Venables is the name they're all talking about now but Stan shouldn't be ruled out yet."
