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IRELAND V POLAND

Are they your shooting boots, Jeff? Hendrick delighted with senior call

“To get on the pitch, even for a second, that would be incredible.”

IT HELPED HIM to bag his first senior international call up — now Jeff Hendrick wants to rediscover his golden touch.

The Derby County midfielder didn’t know Giovanni Trapattoni was in the crowd but he seized his opportunity to impress when he scored against Brighton and Hove Albion last month.

The goal was Hendrick’s third in as many games since the turn of the year. Though he drew a blank a week later against Nottingham Forest, his performance caught Trap’s eye again and the young Dubliner was one of three Rams players included in the Ireland squad for tomorrow night’s friendly against Poland.

Defender Richard Keogh and Conor Sammon, Hendrick’s roommate this week, also got the nod on the back of their club form. Hendrick says it’s nice to have some familiar faces around as he finds his feet in camp.

It sort of helps you settle in a little bit. Obviously the lads are good to you and welcome you but it’s good to have [Keogh and Sammon] to travel in. You’re not on your own.

Although he has been an important part of Noel King’s U21 squad, the senior call up took him by surprise, Hendrick admits.

“I didn’t even know [Trapattoni] was coming. I only found out after the game that he was there.

I thought I played alright. My form has been alright in the last two months. I’m really happy with the way it’s going and I’m just trying to get better with every game.

He added: “I’d be delighted to get any game time. I’m over the moon already just to be in the squad but to get on the pitch, even for a second, that would be incredible.

His goal glut in early January took him to five for the season, and although he hasn’t scored in his last three starts, Hendrick hopes there’s more to come.

“It’s been dry the last two or three games so I’m trying to get back on the scoresheet. Hopefully I can — I want to hit double figures for the season.”

Ireland v Poland: David Forde set for number 1 shot

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