MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 02:46:45| >> :600:189952:189952:

Stephen Kenny not hopeful over Patrick Bamford

Stephen Kenny not hopeful over Patrick Bamford
© Reuters
The striker represented Ireland at under-18 level.

Stephen Kenny is not holding his breath in the hope that Leeds striker Patrick Bamford will change his mind and declare for the Republic of Ireland.

The 27-year-old scored 17 Premier League goals last season as the promoted Elland Road club sailed through their first campaign back in the top flight, in the process propelling himself to the fringes of the England squad before ultimately missing out on a place in Gareth Southgate's squad for the rescheduled Euro 2020 finals.

Bamford was capped by Ireland at under-18 level and has been courted previously, but amid suggestions fitness coach Damien Doyle – who worked with the player during their time together at MK Dons – might be able to persuade him to commit to the green shirt, Kenny appears to have moved on.

He said: "He was very close to being in contention, maybe, for England for the European Championship. It's not realistic to suggest that at the moment, I would feel.

"I think that was obviously his objective, to go to the European Championship with England.

"There's no doubt he's a very good player, a quality centre-forward, but we have to believe in the talent that we have. We have to work to improve it and get better.

"It's unusual for players to switch nationality – I'm not saying it never happens – so quickly after a situation of just being left out of a tournament. There are not many instances of that. Normally it's over a long period."

Golden Boot winner Harry Kane was the only Englishman to score more Premier League goals than Bamford last season, but asked if his disappointment at not being selected despite that achievement might prompt a change of heart, Kenny said: "I really don't know, I really don't know.

"He is a good player, but his objective was clearly to play for England, so I have to respect that."

Kenny will deploy what weapons he does have at his disposal in Thursday night's friendly against Andorra still awaiting the first win of his reign after 11 games in charge, and midfielder Conor Hourihane is desperate to change a narrative for which he insists he and his team-mates have to take the blame.

Hourihane said: "Hopefully a win comes sooner rather than later. That takes a little bit of the pressure off and people don't point it in your face all the time.

"But we've only got ourselves to blame from that point of view because we should have won games up to now, but that hasn't been the case."

ID:450030: cacheID:450030:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3886:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
England's Trent Alexander-Arnold pictured on June 2, 2021
Read Next:
A look at Trent Alexander-Arnold's England return
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds38257670284282
2Leicester CityLeicester37264774334182
3Ipswich TownIpswich38249580493181
4Southampton36227773472673
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom381991059362366
6Norwich CityNorwich381871369541561
7Hull City371610115346758
8Coventry CityCoventry3715121059431657
9Preston North EndPreston37168134954-556
10Middlesbrough38166165352154
11Cardiff CityCardiff38165174351-853
12Sunderland38146184845348
13Watford381212145351248
14Bristol City38138174245-347
15Swansea CitySwansea381210164858-1046
16Millwall381110173650-1443
17Blackburn RoversBlackburn38119185164-1342
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth381011175462-841
19Stoke CityStoke38118193553-1841
20Queens Park RangersQPR381010183650-1440
21Birmingham CityBirmingham38109194259-1739
22Huddersfield TownHuddersfield38815154261-1939
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds38115223061-3138
24Rotherham UnitedRotherham38311243077-4720

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!