Ireland manager McCarthy wants to add Bamford to his Ireland set-up.
The Irish Independent have claimed that new Ireland manager Mick McCarthy is to schedule talks with Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford over the possibility of the Whites ace turning out for the Republic.
Bamford, 25, has finally recovered from a posterior cruciate ligament injury which he picked up in September. He scored hat-trick for Leeds Under-23’s last week, before scoring the winner against Bolton on Saturday.
The former Chelsea ace joined Leeds in the summer as Marcelo Bielsa looked to add competition to Kemar Roofe, signing on for a fee believed to be in the region of £7million (Independent).
Bamford has represented England at youth level – including Under-21’s – but did win one cap for Ireland’s Under-18 side back in 2010. He qualifies to play for McCarthy’s side through a maternal Grandparent.
The likes of Southampton’s Shane Long and Aston Villa’s Scott Hogan would be Bamford’s main threat for a place in the side, but the Leeds man would surely become a crucial asset to McCarthy.
Ireland learned that they will face Denmark, Georgia, Switzerland and Gibraltar in Euro 2020 qualifying, which begins on March 23 when they travel to face Gibraltar. Bamford could indeed be a part of that squad.
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