Former Republic of Ireland striker Stephen Elliott feels Chiedozie Ogbene will be on the radar of some Premier League clubs after making a strong start to his Boys in Green career.
Since making his debut for Ireland last summer in Hungary, the Corkman has scored three goals in seven appearances, and had another one ruled out when he was offside against Lithuania.
Those caps have all been as part of Stephen Kenny's forward line, within either a duo or trio, which is in contrast to his right wing-back role at club level with Rotherham United.
Speaking on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast, ex-Sunderland and Wolves striker Elliott praised the 24-year-old but also explained where he can improve in an unfamiliar role up front.
"He's done really well since he's come into the international set-up. He's playing League One football albeit in a different kind of formation than Stephen Kenny is utilising," he said.
"But he's somebody I look at and I think he could potentially play through the middle himself as that kind of target man.
"Ogbene is quick, pacey but the one thing I will say is that he needs to be a little bit cleverer with his movement in the box.
"Sometimes you're watching his movements and he ventures into offside positions and that will take time. Even there in the Belgium game a couple of times he's a little bit eager to make that movement which he doesn't have to because he has that pace and strength to get across players.
"He's never really played through the middle but I do think there is something there (to build on)."
With Rotherham well placed in League One, Ogbene could play Championship football next season but his Ireland form could also spur clubs higher up the ladder to consider signing him.
In any case, Elliott believes the next move should see the ex-Cork City and Limerick man playing regularly in a similar attacking role to the one Kenny has carved out for him at international level.
"With the type of player he is, he is more than capable of playing at a higher level," he said.
"The way he plays, he's physically strong enough, he's athletic and you can see him now when he's playing he's confident. Even early on in the game (against Lithuania), he's picked up the ball 25 yards out, took the touch and had a shot which took a deflection.
"But that's all confidence and having belief in yourself. That comes with scoring three goals in seven international games.
'At club level, he definitely needs to be playing in a more offensive role because we can see the damage he causes'
"He'll be going back to club level now and he'll be in a really strong position. I think he'll have a lot of clubs looking at him potentially signing, even potentially some Premier League clubs.
"That's what I would be thinking now with the impact he's had in international football and his style of game.
"I think there are a lot of clubs in the Premier League that will be fully aware of him. I'm not saying he's definitely going to go and move to the Premier League. Obviously Championship clubs would be aware of him playing that well.
"But at club level, he definitely needs to be playing in a more offensive role because we can see the damage he causes.
"I'm sure he's capable of playing in that right wing-back role because of his athleticism but to get the best out of him, he wants to be in and around the box, scoring goals and creating opportunities which we've seen him do in an Ireland shirt.
"His stock is really high at the moment and it's great that he's an Irish player."
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