ALAN Kelly believes his move to Ewood has helped cement his place in the Republic of Ireland squad - even though he's spent most of his Blackburn Rovers career sat on the bench.

The 31-year-old stopper has had to be patient while John Filan was preferred as the club's regular number one under Brian Kidd.

But caretaker boss Tony Parkes restored the former Preston North End ace back to the starting line up against Ipswich last Saturday.

And it couldn't have come at a better time as the Republic prepare to face Turkey in two crucial Euro 2000 play off games during the next eight days.

"It's come at a good time, I've got to admit," said Kelly.

"But the move to Blackburn has actually made me a better goalkeeper anyway, both physically, mentally and everything else.

"I feel sharper than I've ever done.

"I know that sounds crazy but it's the level of training that we put in.

"Roy Tunks, the goalkeeping coach, really works us very hard.

"One famous manager said it's practice that makes a player and in the games he just shows how good is he.

"That's been working for Ireland and I hope it works for Blackburn."

Kelly admits it was something of a gamble as far as his international career was concerned when he quit Sheffield United for Rovers in the summer.

But though he's struggled to hold down a regular first team slot at Ewood so far, Republic boss Mick McCarthy has faithfully stuck by the former Leyland DAF apprentice. And he seems certain to sample the action in Dublin on Saturday before the sides then meet again in Istanbul next week. "Mick McCarthy has seen the level of performances that I've put in for Ireland and realises it's not a problem," said Kelly.

"But nobody moves to a club wanting to be a number two and now I've been given my chance (at Blackburn) I plan to work as hard as I can to give myself the best opportunity of staying in the team."

In the meantime, though, he is totally focused on the Republic's bid to qualify for next summer's European Championships.

And he's confident they can see off Turkey, provided they approach the two games with confidence.

"It's going to be a very tough play off but there's no reason why we shouldn't be optimistic about our chances, especially at home," said Kelly.

"I think Suker, the lad up front, is obviously their main threat because he's a prolific finisher.

"But if you look at some of the other sides we've played like Yugoslavia and Croatia then they are both world class teams.

"We've shown we can contain teams like that and even beat them so it depends on how we look at it.

"When you are playing in high pressure games you've got to lift yourself and raise yourself.

"So if we are optimistic then I don't see a problem."

Fellow Rovers Lee Carsley, Jeff Kenna, Damien Duff and Jason McAteer have also been included in McCarthy's squad.

And Kelly is hoping Carsley, in particular, can reproduce the kind of form he's currently showing at club level.

"If you'd said at the start of the season he was going to be the leading scorer nobody would have put a bet on it," said Kelly.

"But Lee leads by example, always puts the graft in and he's weighed in with seven goals."

Carsley bagged his latest two goals in Rovers 2-2 draw with Ipswich on Saturday. And though Tony Mowbray's stunning late equaliser cost them two more points in their bid to climb the table, Kelly firmly believes he could face another play off with Rovers at the end of the season.

"I think the top two are out of our reach but we've got to look to get into the play offs," said Kelly.

"We are still down the wrong end of the table at the minute but the sooner we can get that illusive win under our belts then all the better for us.

"But it's all about acquiring the knowledge of how to win a game.

"People might find that surprising when you look at the quality in the side.

"But when you are continually being beaten down by defeats and draws it can make it hard to win because you become edgy.

"We can build on what we did against Ipswich, though, and if we do that then we won't go too far wrong."

Success against Turkey could also provide the Republic's Rovers contingent with just the lift their season needs.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.