Leeds United goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell has suggested that he has been contacted about switching his international allegiance.
The subject of switching nations has been a key talking point during this international break, with Declan Rice not joining up with the Republic of Ireland squad amid rumours that he may be tempted to make himself available for England.
But after a superb start to the season with Leeds in the Championship, Darlington-born Peacock-Farrell is not interested in giving up on Northern Ireland after just one cap for the nation, despite confirming that the England setup have made contact.
“But Michael got in very early. I felt part of his plans and his future and his idea of how Northern Ireland are going to progress. To have that sense of being wanted, I think it was a massive factor in swaying this way.”
It says a lot about Peacock-Farrell’s emergence that he now has two nations taking a lot at his availability. While he would not be ready for a spot in England’s senior squad – you would imagine that the call was probably referring to a potential call-up further down the line – the fact that he is being kept in mind highlights just how well he has taken to first-team football at Elland Road.
Summer signing Jamal Blackman has barely had a look-in this season with Peacock-Farrell seemingly ticking every box that Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa has wanted ticked.
And it would be little surprise if, by the time he takes to the field for the Whites’ clash with Millwall next weekend, he has been handed the opportunity to add to his sole cap for Northern Ireland in either the game against Bosnia and Herzegovina or Israel.
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