Town boss Roy Keane says skipper David Norris could win himself a Republic of Ireland call-up if he continues to perform at his current level. The 29-year-old says he would love to play for Ireland, having previously been close to a call in 2007 when a Plymouth player.

Keane says he’s sure the Irish management are well aware of his new captain: “I’ve enough on my plate about worrying about Giovanni Trapattoni and his scouting network, but if he’s doing his job properly, he’ll know all about David Norris. That said, Ireland have got some good midfielders.

“But Chuck will know that if he keeps performing for us, he’ll get his rewards at international level or regarding his contract.”

Stamford-born Norris qualifies for Ireland via his mother Teresa, who hails from County Kildare, and the midfielder says he would be delighted if the call were to come: "When Steve Staunton was the manager of the Republic, he contacted me and asked about my availability and whether I would be interested in playing.

"Obviously I was born in England but I have the connections through my mum's side of the family. She's Irish and has got a massive family. They all love football so if the offer was there, I certainly wouldn't turn it down.

"At the same time though, I'm not expecting anything to happen. They have got some good players and it's not something I am thinking about. If it happens it would be a bonus."

Keane says the effect of Town losing Norris to a knee ligament injury on the opening day of last season was often overlooked as a factor in the Blues' poor run at the beginning of 2009/10: “People underestimate how much we missed him last year.

"Chuck was out for four months at the start of the season and people wonder why we had such a frustrating start.

“He’s a good player Chuck and he’s accepted the captaincy,” Keane added. “Some players perform even better with that extra responsibility and that might be the case with Chuck, but let’s see how that works out. He’s enjoying it, he’s playing well again and he’s a good lad, a good character."

So far this season Norris has scored four goals in five games and has been named Man of the Match by TWTD readers in all those matches. The midfielder is also walking a disciplinary tightrope having been booked four times already.

Photo: James Ager

Photo: Action Images

bluepeter added 09:23 - Aug 26 OH dear, Keano 'bigged up' Walters just before he left!
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mickeyjb added 09:23 - Aug 26 I think he's playing well because of the system so I don't think he'd have made a drastic difference last year. I can see why he was so rated at Plymouth. I'm pleased for him. Nice to see that Mac isn't having his usual early season dodgy spell! Well done chuck
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Wallingford_Boy added 09:24 - Aug 26 4 bookings in 3 games?!
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Marcus added 09:30 - Aug 26 Hmm - league cup games count as half? Or Graham Poll was the ref?
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bleedblue added 09:33 - Aug 26 4 bookings + 4 goals = Passion for Town!! I fricken love Norris, I honestly believe he will be the difference for us this year, he thrives on opportunity, and giving him the captains armband has just shown how much he appreciates it and wants to give everything for the club! Why Ireland?? Capello should be scouting him, more passion than any other English midfielder! (Beckham excluded)

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Keaneish added 09:34 - Aug 26 Wallingford - Midfielders are supposed to get booked! I'd be more worried if they weren't!
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WubbleU added 09:37 - Aug 26 I didn't know Mother Teresa had any kids.. or came from Ireland.....
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blueblood66 added 09:41 - Aug 26 I have always liked Norris, even when Jim played him out of position, and he was Jims best buy by miles. Some people on here used to slate him on a weekly basis, you know who you are! Centre midfield is his strength and we are now seeing the results..keep it up Chuck!
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dobbie73 added 10:12 - Aug 26 Bleedblue - nicely summed up! Norris is awesome - the midfield terrier we have been crying out for, for so long. COYB!
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whymarksmyhero added 10:13 - Aug 26 Let's hope we don't bugger about when it comes to re-newing his contract ! We should be doing it now !!
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sonian_blue added 10:16 - Aug 26 Good point BluePeter but I think this is another example of the faith and backing Keano puts in his players, if they give him the effort back. People speculate that he rules with an iron fist but maybe he has high standards and if the players strive to reach them he will back them all day long. Nothing wrong with that in my book. See how he always gives them a 'well done' when subbed etc. Things are coming together and hopefully the fans will give the whole club the backing we would all like to see starting this Saturday. Would be nice to see us pull in the sort of crowds the scum are getting regularly. Baffles me how they seem to get more people willing to part with their hard earned to watch that shower of shirt.

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lawshallgirls added 10:17 - Aug 26 renew his contract then
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dobbie73 added 10:33 - Aug 26 @Sonian-Blue "shower of shirt" Lol! I am no economist, but it seems simple to me that if a season ticket is cheaper, you are more likely to get someone to buy it (hence the bigger crowds at Carrot Road). BUT ..... .... despite these bigger crowds, are they getting any more money, or even running at a loss on ticket sales? Having spoken to someone who was formerly involved in football club ticket sales, there is a fine line when it comes to pricing, and the balance is between making a price as high as possible to maximise revenue but yet still be an attractive proposition for fans to pay, and making it too low thus making it more attractive but hitting revenue so much that you lose money! It seems our friends from up the road are possibly running the second scenario where they may well fill their ground but make next to nothing out of it! Compared to other Champo clubs, we do get reasonable crowds. Just look at Boro - 15000 against us, 14000 against Sheff Utd ... disgraceful! The budgies are well-supported sadly, but then what else do they have to spend their money on except farm equipment, pig washing facilities and turkey pens, lol. Bear in mind also that they have a large catchment area, being the only reasonable-sized footy club in the area (are Cambridge and Peterborough any real rivals ...?), whereas Ipswich borders the catchment area for both Col U and probably West Ham, so in north Essex especially, there may be some real loyalty splits. Slightly off-topic I guess, sorry! But Norris = LEGEND. COYB!!

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cunning_stunt added 10:34 - Aug 26 What a dream central midfield pairing Ireland could now have - Norris and Garvan. Would love to have seen them together @ Ipswich.
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bleedblue added 11:00 - Aug 26 Garvan = Not good enough! Yes he HAD potential, but did not fulfil it. Leadbitter and Norris are solid centre mids, and witht he current formation, they are thriving on it! Cant wait to dominate Bristol City this Saturday! COYB! Although sadly, I will have to bet on Stead scoring, you just know it is going to happen!
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blue1986 added 11:00 - Aug 26 Great player Great captain
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Karlosfandangal added 11:30 - Aug 26 It has been metioned on here about his contract up end of season and now we should be offeing him a new one. When Jim brought him it was a waste of money (not seen many sorry got that wrong on here) to now becoming a legend. The club will not look at a new contract at the minute as they are still dealing with transfers and seeing were the club is after the clear out. We have had a great start to the season, However ME AND Mr Clegg will look at where the club is around Christmas. If the club are in a good position and need to be strengthen then I would expect money to be made availible. If the club is struggling it would be a different story. The board will do the same this year as last, sit down and make plans for the season ahead, Budgets palyers to let go and players to keep, target transfer etc. That will be the time they will look at Norris's contract. He may even want to leave the club to further his career at the end of the season. He may have already been offered a new contract but has said he would like to wait till the end of the season to see where we are. he is on fire now but he may turn out to be another Jon Walters (one good season and then an average player) Cant see it but you never know. Remember Arron Lee-Barrett contract that was all sorted out last minute and how many players have signed new contracts at the end of a season just before thiers run out?

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Upbeat~ added 11:35 - Aug 26 When will people face the fact that Garvan was never a great footballer and nor will he ever become one. His lack of pace for one thing was always an issue, plus his movement off the ball was quite shocking. Admittedly he was a very clean passer off the ball and, when in ten yards of space, could also pick out a killer ball on the odd occasion. However, he is more suited to exhibition matches and was never that great a passer anyway - often wayward. His foootballing brain was too slow to keep up with the championship at times and he always dallied on the ball for far too long. Plus his touch was far from outstanding and in my opinion and his shooting record in front of goal was poor - I agree he scored some memorable goals, yet still the majority of his shots were dragged wide time and time again. If he was still in the team then there would be a gaping hole whenever the opposition moved forward and the chance of a quick counter from us would become non-existant. Garvan as opposed to Leadbitter: Shooting: Garvan 6, Leadbitter 8 Passing: Garvan 7-9, Leadbitter 8 Crossing: Garvan 6-9 (very inconsistent), Leadbitter 8 Dribbling: Garvan 5, Leadbitter 7 Running: Garvan 3, Leabitter 7 Defending: Garvan 4, Leadbitter 8 Presence: Garvan 4-8 (depends if attacking or defending), Leadbitter 9 Calmness: Garvan 5, Leadbitter 8 Awareness: Garvan 6, Leadbitter 8 Overall: Garvan 6, Leadbitter 8 No contest who I'd rather have in my team!

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Upbeat~ added 11:41 - Aug 26 Sorry for poor spelling: nonexistent
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robdaful added 12:10 - Aug 26 I thought Norris was English. If he gets called up then its another Irish player on our books.
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blue1986 added 12:15 - Aug 26 robdaful - he is english he just feels left out
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dobbie73 added 12:16 - Aug 26 Robdaful - he is English but qualifies through his mother who is Irish. Boo, Keane out, another Irish player, boo ...*WINK*
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Berts_chin added 12:24 - Aug 26 Upbeat blue, player ratings are a very subjective thing. What about deadball situations? Garvan would blow Leadbitter off the park every time. I know who I'd sooner have.
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dubblue added 12:27 - Aug 26 With his Kildare connections maybe he could line out for Kildare in this Sunday's all ireland gaelic football semi-final! As for playing for RoI as Roy noted he would face some competition to get on to the first 11 and Trapottoni is very slow to change his squad.
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bluelady added 12:52 - Aug 26 Personally I couldn't care less if we had a team of martions from the moon as long as we are winning games - who cares where the guys are from? Also I'm on the leadbitter side - passion and commitment he gets ten and garvan two!
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