Ireland considering call-ups for Nathan Redmond and Patrick Bamford

Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy will step up his pursuit of Nathan Redmond and Patrick Bamford in the new year.

One of McCarthy's first tasks after replacing Martin O'Neill last month was to identify those players with dual eligibility, so short on depth is the squad he inherited.

He has also been encouraged by talks with Declan Rice after he and assistant Robbie Keane met the West Ham midfielder and his father in London before Christmas.

But it is the name of Southampton's Redmond - capped once by England - which would prove the surprise capture were he to switch allegiance.

The 24-year-old has Irish connections through his mother and would still be allowed to declare for the country given his sole appearance for the Three Lions came in a friendly against Germany last year.

Redmond played for England at every youth level - including 38 caps for the Under 21s - but no longer appears to be part of Gareth Southgate's plans with the senior side.

The Birmingham-born forward scored his first goal of the season during Saturday's 3-1 win at Huddersfield.

Leeds striker Bamford, meanwhile, has picked up a fresh knee injury after recently returning from a three-month layoff.

However, boss Marcelo Bielsa says the new problem is not serious and the 25-year-old should be back in early January.

McCarthy is an admirer and, given Ireland's desperation for goals, both he and Redmond have been discussed as targets.

They kick off their qualifying campaign for Euro 2020 with a double header against Gibraltar and Georgia in March, by which point McCarthy hopes to have an answer from Rice over whether his future lies with Ireland or England.