Brunt: Club and Country

Last updated : 11 September 2007 By Danny Deeming
West Brom and Northern Ireland flyer Chris Brunt is aiming for a notable double come the end of the season for country and club.The 22-year-old winger aims to steer Northern Ireland into the finals of the European Championship for the first time and his new club Albion into the Premier League. It is an exciting time for Brunt, who left Sheffield Wednesday for The Hawthorns in the summer for a fee believed to be around £3million. He is aiming to win back his place in the national side against Iceland on Wednesday in a Euro 2008 qualifier after coming off the bench in the defeat by Latvia. Brunt is glad to be back in action after a three-match suspension delayed his Baggies debut.

He said: "It's my goal to help Northern Ireland and West Brom progress this season. The club have put a lot of faith in me and I want to repay them. It has been frustrating just training and not playing because of the ban but that is behind me now. I just want to be playing games and build up my match-fitness. That's the important thing. Hopefully I can stay free from injuries and suspensions in the months ahead."

Brunt insists the squad are still hurting from the 3-0 defeat by Iceland in the first game in Group F.

"They gave us a good hiding and we have got to put it right. We have got to get the three points after what happened in Latvia and re-establish ourselves in the group."

Sweden lead the way on 19 points with Nigel Worthington's side second with Spain on 16. It is still finely balanced and if the province can get back on track against Iceland, qualification would remain a possibility.

Brunt said: "If we were to get through to the finals, it would be a fantastic achievement. I would be thrilled as I consider it an honour to play for my country. That's why I work hard in training."