Robbie Keane has admitted the Republic of Ireland have likely lost another player to England with Patrick Bamford receiving a call-up to Gareth Southgate's Three Lions squad.
Bamford, who has been in good form in the Premier League since earning promotion with Leeds United, was a surprise exclusion from Southgate's England Euro 2020 squad.
He scored 17 goals in the Premier League but was overlooked for the tournament.
There were speculations claiming the Leeds forward could opt to represent Ireland at international level as a result if he continued to be shunned by the England boss.
However, those rumours were quashed when Bamford received his first call-up to the national team earlier last week.
And speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Leeds's Premier League clash with Burnley, Keane admitted Ireland have lost another quality player to England.
"They have good players, full credit to Patrick, soon as he got to the Premier League his game has improved a hell of a lot," said the former Ireland striker. "I didn’t see that before [Marcelo] Bielsa, that’s another one the Irish lost."
Bamford follows Jack Grealish and Declan Rice in the England squad who were also eligible to represent Ireland but opted to don the Three Lions shirt.
Bamford was born in England, but he qualifies to play for Ireland through his grandparents. He represented Ireland at U18 level. However, he has since only featured for England at youth level and has refused Ireland's advances.
Competition for the no.9 role for England is tough with the likes of Harry Kane and Dominic Calvert-Levin also selected in Southgate's squad.
But with the England boss set to rotate his squad, Bamford could make his debut in a Three Lions shirt next month against Hungary, Andorra or Poland.
