Irish Stew: Yeates Vital Ingredient?

With the Republic of Ireland struggling for inspiration, and Colchester's Mark Yeates in fine form, surely it`s time for boss Steve Staunton to put two and two together?

It now cannot be long before the free-kick maestro, and a former youth representative, earns his first senior call up.

The Irish wing sensation, 22, has been in fine fettle since joining Colchester for an undisclosed fee from Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur this summer, and is now enjoying his second spell with the North Essex club. Yeates has hit the net seven times this season - a staggering five coming from direct free-kicks - in eleven Championship outings.

The Dublin-born winger surely now must feel he has a case to winning a call-up to the senior squad, especially after previously having won three U-21 caps.

The Republic have struggled of late, after failing to qualify for Euro 2008 - they only managed a 1-1 draw at home to the merge Cyprus last week. This poor result may force the under-pressure Staunton to quit. Whoever fills his shoes will find it impossible not to give Yeates a chance for his first full cap, should the wonder-boy continue to burst the net with such startling frequency.

In the meantime, he has the chance to show why the U`s fans are so fond of him, when the U`s play at Portman Road tomorrow night, in the prestigious 'A12 Derby` against Ipswich Town!

Agree with Steve? Think Yeates will burn out before the end of the season? Leave your view below.

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