THEY were international team-mates who bonded at high altitude in the mountains – but Kevin Sheedy hopes Chris Hughton is brought crashing down to earth on Saturday.

Sheedy considers the Norwich City boss a close pal after the pair represented the Republic of Ireland and were international team-mates for seven years between 1984 and 1991, even rooming together at Italia 90.

And although he has been highly impressed with Hughton’s tenure at Carrow Road so far, Finch Farm coach Sheedy admits the friendship will be on hold when the Canaries come to Goodison at the weekend.

“Chris Hughton is a good friend; I played a lot of times with him with Ireland,” said the Toffees legend. “I went to the 1990 World Cup and I got to know him really well.

“We were over in Malta for two weeks doing altitude training and then in Italy. When you room with someone, you get to know them well. “I’m really pleased that he has done well in his managerial career and he has been successful at every club he’s been to.

“He’s doing a good job at Norwich and it will be a tough game for us on Saturday, but hopefully we can win.”

After a slow start to life in the Norwich hot seat, Hughton has guided the East Anglian club to 13th place in the Premier League thanks to victories over Arsenal, Stoke City and Manchester United – and they are currently unbeaten in their last five games.

Hughton represented Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Brentford during his playing career before carving out a reputation as a coach with a 10-year spell as assistant boss at White Hart Lane.

And while Sheedy acknowledges he was surprised to see Hughton move into the world of management, he never doubted his coaching credentials.

He said: “You know players all along your career and some you don’t think are going to turn out to be managers, and Chris is one of those.

“As a coach, yes, but as a manager, I wasn’t sure. He’s proved that he can be a good manager and has had a good career.”