Patrick Bamford looks to be exactly what Stephen Kenny and the Republic of Ireland need - someone who can score goals.
The Leeds United striker scored a hat-trick for Marcelo Bielsa's side as they defeated Aston Villa 3-0 on Friday night and he has now found the back of the net on six occasions in the Premier League this season.
English-born Bamford spoke to Mick McCarthy in 2019 about potentially declaring for the Republic and his hot start to the season has some fans hoping he will don the green jersey.
Ireland supporters took to Twitter on Friday night to express their hopes that the 27-year-old striker will declare for Kenny's goal-shy side.
One tweeted: "Announce Bamford for Ireland #coybig."
While another hopeful tweeted said: "Ireland's Paddy Bamford with a hat-trick tonight."
Another fan demanded: "Stephen Kenny has to get onto Bamford for the next Ireland squad."
While another said: "Didn’t see this result coming. Leeds been excellent. Ireland should try again for Bamford. Exactly what they need."
But Bamford's recent comments on his international future suggest that he would prefer to play for England rather than the Boys in Green.
Speaking to the Daily Mail earlier this month, he said: "I didn’t actually think about it until the squads started getting announced for this latest round of international fixtures and a couple of my mates were winding me up: ‘You’re going to get called up here!’ I was like: ‘Come on, I’ve scored three goals and that’s it.’
"But a few people started mentioning it and, in my head, I thought: ‘You know what? If that happens, then it’s a dream come true.’
"I’ve got to push and try to compete with the others. We’ve got a very good group of English strikers so it’ll be a good competition. Let’s see if I can put my name in the frame."
