Mick McCarthy was impressed by prospective Ireland recruit Will Keane on his scouting mission this weekend.
The Republic of Ireland manager attended Ipswich Town's game against Stoke City on Saturday, where he saw both current and potential Ireland internationals notch goals.
James McClean profited from some calamitous defending to put Stoke ahead, but Keane headed home from Alan Judge's 92nd-minute corner to snatch a draw for the Championship's bottom side.
Keane said in an interview published in the Ipswich matchday programme he hopes to line-out for Ireland in "the next few months". He has submitted paperwork to FIFA with regard to the switch.
“The ball is rolling with that. I spoke to Mick McCarthy a few weeks back and he said he’d like me to declare,” explained Keane.
“That is something I have been looking at for a while. I heard I might be on the radar when I was at Hull but things are moving forward now and hopefully I will be available in the next few months.”
It was McCarthy's second visit to Portman Road in four days, having also attended their 1-1 draw with Derby County.
“Will took his goal well at a time when Ipswich really needed it so his timing was good all round today,” McCarthy told the FAI's website.
“I was impressed again with Alan Judge as well. Alan was very unfortunate with the injury he picked up when playing at Ipswich with Brentford and I am delighted to see him back to his best.
“The fact that James McClean scored the opening goal of the game for Stoke was a bonus as well.”
In other scouting trips, McCarthy's assistant manager Terry Connor saw Conor Hourihane and Glenn Whelan in action in Aston Villa's 2-0 loss to West Brom.
McCarthy, Connor and Robbie Keane all attended League of Ireland games on Friday, at Richmond Park (St Pat's 1 Cork City 0), Oriel Park (Dundalk 1 Sligo Rovers 1) and Dalymount Park (Bohemians 1 Finn Harps 0) respectively.
“It’s been a busy weekend but well worth it,” said McCarthy.
“I really enjoyed the game and the atmosphere on Friday night and we will continue to monitor our own League in the months ahead.”
