Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has tipped Ipswich forward Liam Delap to break into the England senior squad.
The 21-year-old striker, son of former Republic of Ireland international Rory Delap, is Irish-qualified and has already been courted by the Boys in Green.
Delap senior won eight caps for Ireland having qualified through his Donegal father and mother from Leitrim.
Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has spoken of his interest in the striker, who has already scored six Premier League goals this season, while his assistant John O'Shea spoke to the player earlier this year.
"It’s always the player who decides who he wants to play for and I’m not the right person to ask if he’s eligible or not," Hallgrimsson said in October.
"Someone else can probably answer that better. In the end it’s always up to the player himself."
Delap has represented England from U16 right through to U21 level and Chelsea manager Maresca, who worked with him during his time as U21 coach at Manchester City, is tipping the frontman to make the step up with the Three Lions at senior level.
"Liam is a fantastic player, and also for his age," said Maresca, who has been linked with a January swoop for the striker.
"I think we spent one year together and I think he scored 22, 24 goals and he is a very good striker.
"In England they have many like him and they have many good players, good strikers and he’s working hard off the ball, on the ball, he understands the game and can score goals.
"And also because of his age, I think he can be an important player for England."
