Boss Joe Royle is reported to have watched Bohemians striker Stephen Ward in action for the Irish U21s against Sweden at Drogheda's United Park on Tuesday night. Ward scored the only goal as Ireland won 1-0.

The 20-year-old is starting to interest English clubs after scoring in each of his last three appearances for the U21s.

Royle has already been linked with one Ireland-based striker this season, Linfield's Peter Thompson, currently the hottest property north of the border, and was close to signing Ireland U21 striker Daryl Murphy from Waterford last season, the frontman eventually joining Sunderland instead.

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