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Farke: Omobamidele's Ireland performances could force Premier debut

Norwich City boss Daniel Farke says Andrew Omobamidele's first two international appearances could p...


Farke: Omobamidele's Ireland p...

Sport

Farke: Omobamidele's Ireland performances could force Premier debut


Norwich City boss Daniel Farke says Andrew Omobamidele's first two international appearances could push him into contention to play Arsenal. 

The 19-year old made an impressive international debut last week, coming off the bench in the World Cup qualifier away to Portugal.

Omobamidele also caught the eye in Tuesday night's 1-1 draw with Serbia, his first start in a Republic of Ireland shirt.

The classy defender is yet to make his Premier League debut for Norwich, despite helping the Norfolk club win promotion last season.

He played all-but nine minutes of the Canaries' final eight games of the Championship season, having only made his debut in January.

Omobamidele has been confined to 90-minutes in a Carabao Cup tie with Bournemouth so far this season for his club.

Turkish international Ozan Kabak also arrived on loan just before the transfer window closed.

But Farke admitted Omobamidele's performances during the international break could see him thrust into Premier League action, starting with Saturday's trip to Arsenal.

"Andrew is always in my thoughts," the German told his pre-match press conference, "You know, I love to work with young players but there are no gifts for myself.

"He played in a crucial moment last season when it was crunch-time period - all the last nine games - and he was fantastic.

"Before the Liverpool game he missed two training sessions due to an illness. He had a tough start to the season.

"I was unbelievably delighted for him that he has his full debut now for the Irish team, and I think it was a really good performance, also against Portugal.

"Yeah, pretty happy for Andrew, and Andrew is always in my thoughts and always a good option for our defensive role."

Adam Idah's three starts for Ireland across the week means he's now played almost as many minutes of international football (676) as he has in 36 senior games for Norwich (806).

The Cork striker was a late introduction in recent Premier League games with Liverpool and Leicester.

Farke says Idah's international run can only benefit his Norwich career.

"It was important for him to get many minutes, because in the last couple of years he was struggling a lot with injuries and not in his full rhythm," the Canaries' boss said.

"Of course, he has lots of competition here with Teemu Pukki, with Josh Sargent... [it's] also not that easy for him to play each and every minute.

"I think he had a good pre-season, also some good appearances so far. I think his performance[s] were definitely alright for the Irish team.

"Of course, everyone would prefer if he's also off the mark... for Ireland also pretty soon, but I think these minutes will also help him in his personal and individual developments."

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