Portsmouth boss drops selection hint over emerging starlet after international breakthrough
Northern Ireland have come calling for the summer Pompey signing, with John Mousinho sending a message to the attacker over his Blues first-team minutes.
John Mousinho insisted Eoin Kenny is close to Pompey first-team involvement after his Northern Ireland call-up.
And the Blues boss hinted there’s a likely return to the squad for summer signing against Stoke City this afternoon, as he pushes for minutes on the pitch.
Mousinho on Kenny: ‘He probably feels like he’s miles away - but he’s definitely not’
Kenny has been out of the first-team group for the past two games, after helping Pompey to a 1-1 draw at Wolves in his maiden Championship involvement.
Mousinho indicated the 20-year-old is likely to be involved against Mark Robins’ men, however, as his side aim to make it seven games unbeaten in the 12.30pm kick-off.
It’s been a period of adjustment for Kenny after arriving from League of Ireland side Dundalk in the summer on a three-year contract.
A start arrived on the opening day at West Ham in the Carabao Cup, but the attacker then had to wait until the trip to Molineux for his league bow.
Kenny’s progress has been tracked by Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill, however, as he captained his under-21 side before a call-up for Nations League fixtures against Ukraine and Hungary.
Mousinho feels that news is something for his player to cherish, with the versatile front man also on his radar.
He said: ‘The call-up is great for Eoin.
‘He’s been unbelievably unlucky not to be in the past couple of squads, off the back of a positive display at Wolves.
‘I think that shows the strength we have, but what Eoin has done well is get on with it and keep his head down.
‘He went away with the under-21s and played a couple of games in that long international break.
‘He came back fit, strong and looked like he was pushing for a spot in the starting XI, to be honest.
‘He probably feels like he’s miles away (from first-team involvement) - but he’s definitely not.
‘Eoin will most likely be back in the fold this weekend and will be ready for us.
‘Hopefully he gets some minutes, goes away with his international side and does well.
‘We’ve got that connection with Mack (Kirk), with Terry (Devlin) and with Eoin. So we’re a good club to come and watch if you’re from Northern Ireland!’
Kenny’s link to Republic of Ireland has been a topic of conversation following his call-up, after playing for the nation his father Stephen managed before switching to his country of birth.
That was of little consequence to O’Neill ahead of his selection, however.
He told the BBC: 'The background is not really that important for me, if I'm honest. I just look at the lad as a player.
‘He's really enjoyed being in the Northern Ireland set-up and, I think off the back of a really strong under-21s campaign, he deserves the opportunity to be in the squad.
‘I would envisage that he's here because he wants to be here. The most important thing is that he has the chance to play international football.’