Striker Anthony Stokes has reiterated his desire to play for Ireland and said he has “no idea” where the excuse that he was ‘too tired’ to play for his country in the Carling Nations Cup at the end of last season came from.

“I had one or two other things going on off the pitch that I needed to sort out,” he told the Sunday Mirror (print edition). “It was just a combination of things that led me to not play.”

The Celtic player has been left out of Giovanni Trapattoni’s squad for the upcoming game against Croatia in spite of the fact that others who also missed out on the competition were included. However, Stokes has repeated his commitment to the Irish cause. He added:

“It went through the club, which was standard contact. I’ve no idea where the ‘too tired’ phrase came from – it certainly wasn’t me. I love playing for Ireland and I hope I can get back.”

For the full interview with Stokes, read the Irish Sunday Mirror.