Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Andy Keogh could be named in the Republic of Ireland starting team for Saturday's friendly against Serbia after impressing new Irish manager Giovanni Trapattoni.
Keogh has caught the Italian's eye during training at the Republic's Algarve base and has been on the scoresheet in friendlies against Liga Vitalis sides Portimonese and Lagos.
His silky skills have gone down well with the former Juventus and Italy manager, who said Keogh was an intelligent player.
If Keogh is selected, the Dublin-born 22-year-old would be making his eighth start for his country.
"Andy Keogh plays football," Trapattoni said. "He is young but he plays football, he knows what to do and that is very important. His intelligence is important. When the ball comes he understands immediately what to do. He is not an easy opponent."
After Saturday's game with Serbia in Dublin, Ireland take on Colombia at Fulham's Craven Cottage on Thursday night.
Meanwhile, Keogh's club-mates Charlie Mulgrew and Dean Rosa have been linked with permanent moves to Southend United.
Mulgrew linked up with the Shrimpers during the January transfer window and impressed with his attacking style of play from left back. Wolves are believed to be asking about £300,000 for the ex-Celtic player, who has struggled to make an impact at Wolves.
Southend manager Steve Tilson is also said to be keen on Rosa, who has been in fantastic goalscoring form for Wolves reserves but has failed to break into the first team and has only one year left on his contract.
Plymouth Argyle captain Krisztián Timár has thanked Wolves fans for their messages of support following the Hungarian's horrific head injury inflicted at Molineux on the final day of the season. The defender fractured a bone in his forehead following an accidental clash of heads with Wanderers defender Elokobi.
The Budapest-born 28-year-old received lengthy treatment on the pitch 30 minutes from the end of the game and he was stretchered off to a standing ovation from both sets of supporters.
Timár, Plymouth's player of the season, has revealed that Elokobi has been in touch to offer his support following the accident and that his operation has been a success.
He said: "I am very well. Every day, I am feeling better and getting better. The doctor has started to build up my bones again and repair the big hole in my forehead. He has also repaired my damaged eyebrow. It was a very, very successful operation and I am very pleased with the doctor."
