'He will make that switch' - Leeds United star backed to make HUGE career decision

The English born ex-Middlesbrough and Chelsea striker is eligible to represent the Republic of Ireland through his grandparents and has previously turned out for their U18s.

In 2019, former Ireland boss Mick McCarthy revealed that he was still waiting for Bamford to make a decision about his international future, stating that he was 'refusing to chase' him.

Bamford, 27, missed out on Southgate’s latest Three Lions squad, despite netting seven times in eight league games.

Former Elland Road loanee and current Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend, who came up against Bamford on Saturday, discussed the international routes potentially open to the attacker.

“Patrick Bamford, he has been on a hell of a journey,” said Townsend to the ITV Football Show Podcast. “He’s only young but he’s been a journeyman, like myself, he has been out on a lot of loans. Some have suited him and some haven’t.

“But he has found this guy in [Marcelo] Bielsa. He loves players who work hard, first and foremost and have the quality after. Bamford’s got that in abundance.

"The thing that impressed me on Saturday was how well he took his goal and his offside goal. How well he took those two strikes. Clinical, clinical finishes.

“Unless there are one or two injuries, he’s probably just below the players who are currently in the England squad.

"But if he keeps that going and keeps scoring goals, like Ings proved last season, then he’s definitely going to be in with a shout with an England call-up sooner rather than later.

“100%, [he can play for the Republic of Ireland now]. But the form he is in and the goals he is scoring, he can see an England call-up in the future if he continues.

"So, 100% this season I don’t think he will switch over to Ireland.

"But if it doesn’t come in the next year to 18 months then maybe his form does dip then I am sure he will make that switch to Ireland.”