Blackburn Rovers have endured a difficult season in the Championship during the 2023/24 campaign.
An encouraging start to the season had offered some hopes of a repat of their push for a place in the play-offs that went all the way to the final day last season.
That however, has given way to a dip in form, that means the Ewood Park club now find themselves in a precarious position in the battle to avoid relegation from the Championship.
There has also been a change of management around the club, with Jon Dahl Tomasson departing as head coach, to be replaced by John Eustace.
One constant for Blackburn Rovers this season, has been Sam Szmodics. Now it seems as though that success, is about to earn him some significant recognition.
Blackburn Rovers man in line for international debut
It has been an outstanding season so far for Szmodics. The attacking midfielder has already raced past 20 goals in all competitions during the current campaign.
That means the Blackburn Rovers is now competing for the Golden Boot, despite his side’s troubles at the wrong end of the table.
Despite that, the 28-year-old is still waiting for his first senior international cap. He had been called up by the Republic of Ireland earlier in the campaign, but was forced to pull out of the squad for personal reasons.
However, he could now be set to get that long-awaited cap, judging by the latest comments from Republic of Ireland interim manager, John O’Shea.
Speaking about the possibility of calling up the Blackburn Rovers attacker ahead of the March international break, O’Shea was quoted by The Sun as saying:
“I purposely didn’t make contact with anyone before the Press conference. There is every chance I will be getting in touch with everyone available for the next two games over the next two, three days.
“He is scoring lots of goals. He is obviously a very important player for Blackburn.
“Young Andy Moran has linked up with him for plenty of goals as well this season. We will wait and see over the next couple of days.”
That March international break is set to see the Republic of Ireland play two friendlies against Switzerland and Belgium.
International opportunity well deserved for Sam Szmodics
Many Blackburn Rovers fans would consider this an opportunity well deserved for Szmodics if he gets it.
The attacker has been absolutely vital for the club all season, not just with his goals, but his all-round performance and commitment to the side.
Indeed, Eustace recently described him as ‘awesome’ after playing the full 90 minutes of the draw with Norwich City, just hours after the birth of his second child.
As a result, an opportunity such as this an the international stage, would surely be just reward for his efforts this season.
However, with Blackburn Rovers in the position they are in, those involved with the club will be desperate to see Szmodics come through the break unscathed, if he is called up for international duty.
If he does not, it could be hugely damaging to any hopes the club have of avoiding relegation this season.