Town top scorer Daryl Murphy is looking forward to teaming up with strike partner David McGoldrick at international level with the Republic of Ireland in the near future.
Murphy has already accumulated 13 senior caps and believes it won’t be long before McGoldrick is making his debut for Martin O’Neill’s team as they continue their qualifying campaign for Euro 2016.
He said: "I hope it is going to happen because I think Didzy can offer a lot to the team with the type of player he is. I’m not sure what’s holding it up, just a bit of paperwork I think, but as soon as that’s sorted he’ll be able to be picked.
"Martin O’Neill has asked me a few times about him and I think it’s on their side that they just have to tidy up a few things and then he’ll be alright.”
Yesterday, Murphy and Blues loanee Conor Sammon were named in the Ireland squad for next month’s important Euro 2016 qualifier away against Christophe Berra's Scotland and a friendly with the USA. Manager Martin O'Neill has said McGoldrick could be added to the squad if the paperwork is finally completed.
"It’s a tough group that we are in and Scotland next month is going to be a tough game,” Murphy, 31, added. "They have picked up some good results and it’s a tight group.
"I don’t think anyone would have thought that Germany would be sitting where they are now in the group but that’s the way it is and every game is going to be tough.
"We’ll just have to wait and see what happens. I’ve spoken to Christophe a bit about it — he’s my room-mate so we’ve been having a bit of banter over it.”
Murphy is delighted to be back in the international fold after writing off his chances of ever being selected during Italian boss Giovanni Trapattoni’s time in charge.
He added: "The last manager was too set in his ways. He had a team in mind and that team played practically every game.
"No one really got a chance and I think all the lads who were in the squad knew that as well, that when they went away they were going to be on the bench.
"If they got a chance and did well he might change it but I don’t think there was much hope there for a lot of the players and especially me.
"I knew that I wasn’t going to play under the previous management, but when the new regime came in I thought there was a chance that if I was playing well for Ipswich they would look at me as an option.
"It’s brilliant to be back because as I’ve said before I didn’t think the chance would come again. I thought I just needed to play as well as I could for Ipswich, stay in the team and score goals.
"Thankfully they have come and watched a few games and given me a chance. My priority is to keep doing well for Ipswich and if I do that I’ll hopefully stay in the international squad.”
Meanwhile, Murphy has revealed that Ireland assistant manager and his one-time Blues boss Roy Keane had a present waiting for every member of the squad when they reported for duty earlier in the month — a copy of his second autobiography.
Murphy was sent home with an achilles tendon problem that ruled him out of the clash with world champions Germany, but at least he had some reading material for the journey home: "I’m getting through the book and enjoying it.
"He gave us all a copy and he really seems to be enjoying his role alongside Martin O’Neill. I’m enjoying working with him too.
"I think the role suits him. He gets on well with the lads and takes some of the sessions.
"I think he’s done the right thing in taking a step back, watching other managers work and how they go about their jobs, and I think it will help him in the end.”