Reports suggest that Leicester City winger Kasey McAteer is on the verge of choosing to represent the Republic of Ireland at the international level. McAteer, a product of the club’s academy, has had a successful season so far under the guidance of Enzo Maresca. The 21-year-old made an impressive start in the Championship opener against Coventry City, scoring two goals in a 2-1 win against Rotherham. He has since added three more goals to his tally, including the opener in the Carabao Cup loss to Liverpool. Unfortunately, a hamstring injury has sidelined him for the past two Championship games, with an estimated recovery time of four to six weeks.
McAteer’s performances have caught the attention of Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny, who confirmed that a winger from the Championship was considering a switch to represent Ireland. Sources indicate that McAteer is the player in question. The Republic of Ireland is in need of more depth in their wide areas, and McAteer’s playing style fits the bill. However, there is uncertainty surrounding Kenny’s future as manager, as his contract expires after the current campaign. The pressure is on Kenny to deliver results, as Ireland has only won two out of their seven Euro 2024 qualifying matches.
Kenny expressed his satisfaction with the potential addition of McAteer and his concerns about the Championship schedule. He revealed his preference for wingers and discussed the lack of options in that position in previous years. While there have been some talented players emerging, such as Chiedozie Ogbene and Mikey Johnston, they still need more game time to fully develop. Kenny also addressed the demanding nature of the Championship, with games being played every three days, which can lead to players suffering from repeat hamstring injuries. This has been the case for three Irish players, who had to undergo operations, putting them out of action for three months.
