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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Paul O'Hehir

QPR boss says Jimmy Dunne deserves an Ireland call-up

QPR boss Mark Warburton has urged Stephen Kenny to consider Jimmy Dunne for Ireland duty.

Dundalk lad Dunne has been a mainstay in the Championship this season, making 30 appearances so far.

And although Kenny is well stocked with centre-backs, Warburton feels his player deserves a call-up.

Dunne, 24, was brought into the mix under Martin O’Neill but has yet to win a cap ahead of next month’s friendlies against Belgium and Lithuania.

“I am sure the (Irish) international guys are well aware of Jimmy,” said QPR manager Warburton.

“I am not so sure they are aware of his dress sense, because that would mean he would never get a cap!

“But in terms of his ability, on the pitch he has done really well. He’s a very likeable character, he goes about his business and he is physically strong.

“We have done a lot of work with him in terms of his decision-making on the ball and I think you’re seeing his development due to his hard work in that area.

“He has genuinely done very well, shown his quality, the fans like him and he gives everything in terms of effort and application.”

Dunne was previously with Burnley and Manchester United and Warburton added: “There’s no reason why he shouldn’t get an international call-up.”

Shane Duffy, John Egan, Andrew Omobamidele, Nathan Collins, the fit-again Dara O’Shea and Darragh Lenihan are all ahead of Dunne in the pecking order.

“I know Ireland are very strong in that area, which could be the one negative for him,” Warburton told West London Sport.

“But all he can do is work hard and play hard every single week and he is doing that.”

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