Football: CARSLEY: I'VE EARNED MY CHANCE TO MEET THE ELITE.(Sport)

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Byline: CATHAL DERVAN

LEE CARSLEY made his intentions as crystal clear as the Pacific Ocean that awaited the Republic of Ireland's World Cup squad when they finally touched down in the Far East.

The Everton midfielder - the last man into Mick McCarthy's 23 in some people's books - is not along for the ride.

He has not come to Saipan ahead of the final leg of the journey to Japan to "make up the numbers" after edging Celtic's Colin Healy out of the frame.

Laid-back Carsley gets animated when it comes to the subject of his World Cup involvement.

And he says: "I am annoyed at suggestions that I am not here on merit and that I have …