Irish star eyes French test - exclusive

Last updated : 08 October 2004 By Andy Parsons

The Wednesday playmaker has impressed so far this season but has had his fair share of bad luck with suspensions since signing in the summer.

Sunday's game at Swindon was called off because of some of Wednesday's youngsters being called up to play for their country and Whelan would have been able to play if he was not representing the Republic of Ireland U-21 team.

But despite the massive task of facing one of the best young sides in the world tonight, the Irish skipper is looking forward to the challenge.

He told Footymad: "We have got a very tough game against France and we are looking to get a good result out there, a draw wouldn’t be a bad thing at all but we have to go for the win."

By playing for the national side, it will improve his game and the former Manchester City man believes that Wednesdayites have not yet seen the best from him.

"Hopefully there is more to expect from me," he added. "With the more games I play, the better I will become so hopefully I can get another good run in the team and keep improving along the way.

"Like I said, it has been up and down. I got my first goal against Walsall, the first is usually the hardest to get so hopefully I can get more and then sent off at Coventry but I just want to get back and establish myself in the team."

And with the new manager settling into life at Hillsborough, Whelan believes that the club is good enough to go up this season.

He said: "Down on paper we have got the best team in the league but we have got ten new players who have just come in and turning the corner will not happen overnight but we have four points from two games (since the new manager came in) and that is a good sign already and a good foundation for results down the road."