Sam Szmodics is in contention for a Republic of Ireland call-up after receiving the necessary paperwork regarding his eligibility.

Szmodics was first called up to the Ireland squad in the summer of 2021, only to miss out on the chance of a debut in friendlies with Andorra and Hungary due to a recurring shoulder injury.

More than 18 months have passed without Szmodics being named in another squad, however, it can be revealed that was due to administration issues surrounding the paperwork submitted for his Irish passport.

Those have now been resolved meaning Szmodics, who is eligible for Ireland through his late grandmother, is in contention for another call-up when Stephen Kenny names his squad next week.

The 27-year-old has enjoyed an excellent run of form, with goals in wins against QPR and Leicester City, while also impressing against both Blackpool and Sheffield United.

Republic of Ireland host Latvia in a friendly on Wednesday, March 22 before welcoming France to the Aviva Stadium on Monday, March 27 for a European Championships qualifier.

While Szmodics scored on his Rovers debut against Swansea City in August, it hasn’t been the easiest start to life at Ewood Park for the new recruit, who joined last summer for an initial £1.7m from Peterborough United.

However, he has turned in some of his best performances for the club after being handed his chance following an injury to Bradley Dack, starting each of the last four matches.

  • Rovers have a host of players eyeing an international call-up when the first matches of 2023 come around.

    The March international break will follow the FA Cup quarter final at Sheffield United on March 19, with Rovers not back in action until the trip to Birmingham City on Saturday, April 1.

    However, several players could be away during the break and turning their attentions to the international stage.

    There are two players certain of a call-up when the squads are announced next week.

    Chile appointed Eduardo Berizzo after their failure to reach the World Cup finals, and Ben Brereton is sure to be named in his squad.

    The 23-year-old has 17 caps, scoring four times, for Chile who have only one game during the break.

    La Roja host Paraguay in a friendly, with the game taking place in the early hours of Tuesday, March 28.

    Sorba Thomas meanwhile, will be named in Rob Page’s Wales squad for their upcoming European Championships qualifiers.

    The 24-year-old, who joined Rovers on loan in January, has won seven caps for Wales since his debut in October 2021.

    Thomas was named in Wales’ World Cup squad, and came on for the closing stages of their opening group game draw with USA.

    He is set to be included in Page’s squad, which will be without Gareth Bale and Joe Allen after they announced their retirements.

    Wales travel to Croatia for their opening qualifying match on Saturday, March 25, before hosting Latvia on Tuesday, March 28.

    With those two certainties, there is an expectation that there will be a first international call-up for Dom Hyam.

    Hyam has won seven caps at Under-21 level for Scotland, but has never been named in a senior squad.

    However, the form of the 27-year-old for Rovers has put him firmly in the conversation to be named in Steve Clarke’s squad list, particularly given injuries to John Souttar (Rangers) and Scott McKenna (Nottingham Forest).

    Scotland will be looking to make the European Championships for the second successive time and start their qualification campaign with two home games.

    They first welcome Cyprus to Hampden Park on Saturday, March 25 (2pm) before hosting Spain on Tuesday, March 28 (7.45pm).

    While Hyam would be looking for his first call-up, Thomas Kaminski is waiting for his first cap.

    The Rovers No.1 has regularly been called up by Belgium, and was also on the standby list for Euro 2020.

    The 30-year-old has been out for the last month with a knee problem and wasn’t expected to feature before the international break.

    However, there is a chance that Kaminski could be named once again in a provisional squad for Belgium’s first two matches under new boss Domenico Tedesco.

    The Red Devils’ first two qualification games see them first travel to Sweden on Friday, March 24 (7.45pm) and then Germany on Tuesday, March 28 (7.45pm).

    It remains to be seen whether Rovers would sanction any potential call-up for Kaminski given his recent injury status.

    While one Rovers wide player is sure of his place in the Wales squad, another will be hoping for a return to the international fold.

    Ryan Hedges made the provisional squad for Wales’ World Cup campaign, but missed out on final selection when it was trimmed to a final 23.

    The 27-year-old has three caps for his country, having made his debut in November but has been out of the international fold since 2019.

    Given the retirements of Bale and Allen, spots will open up in Page’s squad, with Hedges hoping his form this season will be enough to see him included.

    Tyler Morton will be hopeful of selection for England Under-21s as they host France (Saturday, March 25) and Croatia (Tuesday, March 28).

    He made the squad in September for the first time, but is still waiting to make his debut under Lee Carsley.

    England Under-19s have three games this month, with Ash Phillips and Adam Wharton both vying for inclusion.

    Simon Rusk’s side will look to secure qualification for this summer’s Under-19s Euros in Malta when taking on Hungary, Iceland and Turkey.

    All three games will be played on English soil at Walsall, Rotherham United and Chesterfield where they will face Hungary (Wednesday, March 22), Iceland (Saturday, March 25) and Turkey (Tuesday, March 28) respectively.

    Rovers youngster Dominik Biniek has already been named in the Poland Under-19s squad in their bid to qualify for the European Championship finals, as they face Serbia, Israel and Latvia.