Ireland U21 manager vows to ‘go back’ for midfielder linked with international switch

Fears are mounting that the 21-year-old could become another Jack Grealish case.

The Oxford United midfielder received his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad around this time last year.

Within a few weeks, the High Wycombe-born playmaker was forced to withdraw from international duty after getting injured in training.

The fact that he hasn't featured for the Under-21's since has led some Irish fans to fear the worst - that one of the hottest prospects in Championship football will declare for England instead.

Past traumas from both Jack Grealish and Declan Rice mean that fans are constantly living in worry that one of their 'granny rule' stars will turn their back on their adopted country.

Grealish, who has Irish grandparents, represented Ireland at underage level before switching allegiance to England in 2015.

Rice, on the other hand, not only played through the Ireland ranks but also made three senior appearances for the ‘Boys in Green’, before switching allegiance to his homeland in 2019.

Goodrham has clocked up an impressive 103 games for the Championship side, and Crawford has revealed he has kept in touch with the young star during his time away from the international scene.

 “We rang him, we have been ahead of the pack so many times where he came in once and he was great but had to leave, he had a knock.

"I think at this stage he just wants to stay at Oxford and concentrate on his club football," he said. "But we have been trying to get in touch with him so many times. He is a good lad and I wish him well.

"There has been very little conversation since June. By all accounts, he wants to stay concentrated on his club. He has had an unbelievable start at Oxford. We have tried."

He continued: "At this stage of a (European championship qualification) campaign you can’t be twisting people’s arms, you need everybody full in, full in, and understanding what it means for Irish football if we can qualify.

"Have we given up the hunt? No, we will go back after him again."

Goodrham scored a worldie at the weekend as Oxford United brushed past Preston North End, who had been reduced to ten men with 20 minutes to go.