An emerging goalkeeper in the Premier League with Sunderland AFC, English-born Keiren Westwood is the recognised understudy to Shay Given for the Republic of Ireland and made his first competitive international appearance during UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying.

• Born in Manchester of Irish stock (his grandparents hail from County Wexford), he joined Manchester City FC as a trainee but had a troubled start to his career with injuries and almost quit the game to become a policeman.

• Found his feet with Carlisle United FC in England's fourth tier and helped the club to the League Two title in 2005/06, making 35 appearances.

• Was an ever-present in League One over the next two campaigns as Carlisle finished eighth and fourth respectively; selected in the 2007/08 League One Team of the Year.

• Moved up a division when he joined Coventry City FC in June 2008 and spent three impressive seasons with the Midlands club, albeit in the nether reaches of the Championship, before becoming a Premier League player in 2011/12 when he joined Sunderland, where he challenged Belgian international Simon Mignolet for the No1 spot.

• Won his first senior cap for Ireland as a half-time substitute against Nigeria at Fulham FC's Craven Cottage ground in May 2009 but had to wait until March 2011 for his first competitive start, a 2-1 home win against the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.