Patrick Bamford will hold face-to-face talks with Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy after a change of heart, it has been confirmed.
McCarthy revealed last week that he had been struggling to pin Bamford down after making a number of approaches to the forward about committing to the Irish national team.
“I’ve been doing all the chasing,” McCarthy said. “It’s time, if he wants to play, he gets hold of me or sends me a WhatsApp. He full well knows that I’ve been doing my damnedest to meet him.”
The Leeds United-supporting former Ipswich Town, Wolves and Sunderland boss revealed on Sunday that he and Bamford had now agreed to discuss a call-up following his two goals on Friday night.
McCarthy told the official Republic of Ireland website: “We’ve exchanged text messages and Patrick is keen to meet up in the coming weeks so it’s just a matter of him finding a date that works. I’ll happily meet him whenever he can do it.”
OPINION
It almost appears that McCarthy has used the media to try and embarrass Bamford into talks after being given the cold shoulder by the 25-year-old on a number of occasions. The £7million striker qualifies for Ireland through the grandparent rule and, judging by McCarthy’s comments, has been reluctant to discuss the possibility of playing for the country. Perhaps now he is fully fit and playing well after two serious knee injuries this season, the forward is prepared to contemplate international football. Capped twice by England at Under-21 level, Bamford is some way from a senior call-up for the country of his birth, with Harry Kane and company blocking his way and might feel his chance has gone of making it. Bamford could make a big impact for Ireland. He has showed with six goals in 13 matches for Leeds this season after previously thriving at Middlesbrough that he has the verve, movement and eye for goal that has persuaded McCarthy to make a concerted push to get him.