Portsmouth winger declares intention to play for Ireland

Mick McCarthy has been speaking about Troy Parrott, James McCarthy, Danny Crowley and a possible new recruit.

The 'scouting report' released regularly by the FAI offers some decent access to Ireland boss Mick McCarthy and affords him the opportunity to big up some upcoming and established talents. In the latest briefing, McCarthy has spoken about the progress of striker Parrott at Spurs, stressed the need for McCarthy to get regular football - possibly at Crystal Palace - and revealed Portsmouth winger Marcus Harness is keen to tie his flag to the mast. On Harness, the Coventry-born midfielder who scored six goals and had seven assists for Burton Albion last year, McCarthy said:

"Terry Connor and myself both saw Marcus play with Burton last season and we will have him watched again when the season kicks-off next weekend and see how he gets on. "He has told us he wants to play for Ireland and we will follow through on that now and help him sort the paperwork from his side."

The 23-year-old was in the Coventry City youth system before he moved on to Burton. He featured in the League Cup semi-final encounters with Manchester City last season. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UevhZdvfZlQ On 17-year-old Parrott, who made his senior debut for Tottenham against Juventus in a pre-season friendly, McCarthy commented:

"We know all about Troy and [Ireland assistant coach] Robbie Keane has been keeping in contact with Spurs about his fitness and his progress... Troy got a start on Sunday against a top Italian side which was great for him. He is young and we have to remember that but this is good news for the player and for Ireland."

McCarthy is hopeful McCarthy will find a top-flight team to provide him with regular football in 2019/20 while he added that Crowley, who is set for a Championship season with Birmingham City, is 'one of the players we will observe closely when the season kicks-off'.