Kerr "hits back" at Harte
from rte.ie:
Kerr, meanwhile, has hit back at claims by Ian Harte that he is being deliberately frozen out of the international scene.
Left-back Harte has not played under Kerr since a surprise summer move to Primera Liga side Levante following Leeds' relegation from the Premier League.
The 27-year-old has spent the last seven weeks on the sidelines, recently undergoing a groin operation in Manchester as well as time at Leeds' Thorp Arch training complex last month in rehabilitation under the supervision of physio Dave Hancock.
It is expected Harte will be back in action for Levante before the end of the month, but whether he plays for Ireland again while Kerr is in charge remains to be seen.
Harte insisted Kerr was against him moving to Spain and that attempts to contact the Republic boss in a bid to ascertain why he has not been involved have all been in vain.
But Kerr today refuted the accusations, stating: "Ian Harte never counselled me before he went to Spain.
"When he told me he was going I was delighted for him because it was a good chance for him to play first-team football.
"As for him trying to contact me, any player who wants to speak to me knows they can ring me. I would be disappointed if I rang them and they didn't ring me back."
But that is not Harte's version of events as he told The Times: "I don't know what's been happening because I've not been able to get in touch with Brian. He doesn't return my calls.
"I spoke to Chris Hughton and asked him to see if he could get Brian to give me a call to find out what the problem is, but I've not heard anything. It's a joke.
"I am disappointed that after playing 58 caps for my country and scoring nine goals, he cannot pay me a bit of respect and give me a call."
On his move to Levante, where he was a first-team regular before the injury, he added: "When I first told him I was going to Spain, he didn't think it was a good move. What was I supposed to do? Stay in the First Division with Leeds?"
Harte maintains he will again play for Ireland, even if he has to wait for Kerr to leave, insisting: "I am still good enough, and whether he stays in the job or not, I will wait to get my chance.
Harte, though, may have burned his bridges after his outburst, with Kerr responding: "Ian Harte is injured at the moment and is therefore not under consideration.
"If he gets back into the Levante team and plays well, then he may get back in."