‘Great potential’: International boss wants to give ‘first class’ Liverpool player his debut this month

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Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is in line to make his Republic of Ireland debut this month should he recover from injury quickly enough.

Stephen Kenny currently has a selection headache ahead of his nation’s World Cup qualifier against Serbia.

Darren Randolph has played all eight games of Kenny’s reign but is out of the upcoming international window.

The West Ham man suffered an injury recurrence during his side’s Premier League game against Manchester City a fortnight ago.

Kelleher is also battling his own injury problems, and Kenny hopes he’ll be fit in time for the international break.

“Caoimhin is injured at the moment as well,” he said in a virtual Q&A with Ireland supporters, as transcribed by the Irish Examiner.

“He has a slight abdominal tear, so we’re just hoping he can be okay.

“He’s due back training at the weekend of next week. Fingers crossed, he comes through okay because he’s got great potential.

“He was first class in all five games he played for Liverpool and I had him for 10 of my U21 games.”

Kelleher excelled in Alisson Becker’s absence earlier this season, making five senior appearances, conceding three goals and keeping two clean sheets.