A favourite of Republic of Ireland head coach Giovanni Trapattoni despite recent struggles at club level, Sean St Ledger started nine of his country's UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers, scoring an important goal away to Slovakia. He has played all his club football in England but never appeared in the Premier League.

• Born in Birmingham, he started his career in the English third tier with Peterborough United FC but suffered relegation from League One in his first full season.

• Transferred to Preston North End FC in 2006, he became a regular in the Lancashire club's defence, helping them to seventh place in the Championship in his first season and sixth in his third (2008/09), during which he started all 46 matches and scored five goals.

• Lost a promotion play-off semi-final with Preston in May 2009 but won his first international cap a few weeks later, having been declared eligible to play for the Republic because of an Irish grandfather.

• Became a regular for Ireland during the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, scoring his first goal in 2-2 home draw against Italy at Croke Park.

• Had spell on loan at Middlesbrough FC in autumn 2009 and left Preston after their relegation in 2011 for big-spending Championship club Leicester City FC, where he struggled to hold down a regular first-team place.