While the club season is now only getting underway in most European countries, it will not be long before the campaign is paused for the return of international football.
Ireland will play two Euro 2024 qualifiers in September, taking on France in Paris on September 7th before hosting the Netherlands three days later. It has been suggested that those games could go a long way towards deciding Stephen Kenny's future with the team.
That pressure means it is unlikely that the manager will take any big risks when naming his squad, but there are a handful of players that could force their way in after impressive starts to the season at club level.
Here are four names to keep an eye on.
Potential Ireland call-ups for September internationals
Aaron Connolly (Hull City)
Unlike the other players on this list, Aaron Connolly has already been capped by Ireland at senior level. However, he has not featured since September of 2021.
Since then, his form has dipped dramatically. Having been out of favour at Brighton, he had mixed loan spells at Middlesbrough and Venezia before ending up at Hull last season.
That move was made permanent over the summer, with Connolly making a promising start to the season. He came off the bench in their first two games, scoring in the win over Sheffield Wednesday.
A previous favourite of Stephen Kenny, you would imagine that he would be brought back into the fold if he can rediscover the form that made him such an exciting prospect. The September window has probably come too soon for him, but he will be aiming to be back in green in the near future.
Sammie Szmodics (Blackburn Rovers)
It is a bit of a surprised that Sammie Szmodics has not already been capped by Ireland. He has massively impressed at Peterborough and Blackburn Rovers in recent seasons, although Stephen Kenny opted against calling him up for the two international windows earlier this year.
With Will Smallbone ruled out of the game against France and the Netherlands, he will surely be added to the squad in the coming weeks.
An attacking midfielder, Szmodics has already registered two goals and an assist in the first two games of the Championship season.
A brace for Sammy Szmodics for Blackburn today after missing a penalty.
He must be close to contention for the Ireland squad for next month's games.pic.twitter.com/kUjI1hRfGk— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) August 12, 2023
You'd imagine the 27-year old will be included for next month's games, even if he does not get any playing time.
Sinclair Armstrong (QPR)
This would be a bit of a flier, but it's hard not to be excited by what Sinclair Armstrong could offer to the Ireland setup moving forward. The 20-year old scored the first Championship goal of his career last weekend, giving a brilliant interview afterwards.
The Dubliner looks set to play a big part in QPR's season, and while he is still very inexperienced, Kenny has not shied away from bringing emerging young players into the squad in the past.
It is doubtful that he would be included, but he is one to keep an eye on this season.
Eiran Cashin (Derby County)
Were it not for the fierce competition at centre back, Eiran Cashin could well have already been capped by Ireland at senior level.
The 21-year old has made some serious strides in his game over the last two campaigns, making 43 appearances in League One last time out and being widely regarded as one of the best players in the division. His form has attracted the attentions of a number of clubs, with Brighton keen to sign him this summer.
With all of this in mind, you would imagine that a senior international call-up may not be too far away. Ireland have plenty of options in this position, but Cashin is certainly pushing hard for inclusion.
Having already started this season in impressive form, it would not be a surprise to see him make the squad next month.
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