"Top form": Sheffield United's Enda Stevens lavished with praise by Ireland boss Mick McCarthy

Sheffield United full-back Enda Stevens is clearly in the good books of Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy.

A South Yorkshire lad himself, McCarthy has been keeping a close eye on Stevens during United’s fantastic season to date, and was impressed by the full-back’s thunderbolt strike against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

Stevens has been a huge part of the Blades’ success this season, and is a prominent part of the Irish setup, as McCarthy looks to guide the Republic of Ireland into Euro 2020 via the play-offs.

Speaking to FAI.ie ahead of the upcoming international break, McCarthy said: “It was a hell of a shot from Enda (against Brighton). I’ve seen it described as a screamer on one report and that’s exactly what it was.

“Enda has been on top form for Sheffield United and for Ireland all season and it’s nice to see him amongst the goals now as well.”

Ireland face a tricky tie against Slovakia to progress in the play-off system, and would then need to win one more game to qualify for the tournament, with a blockbuster qualifier against Northern Ireland still a possibility.

Speaking of the Slovakia tie, McCarthy said: “We’ll take goals from anywhere in Bratislava at the end of March so the more Irish players scoring right now, the better as far as I’m concerned.”

Stevens came off injured in the Brighton game, but McCarthy said that the problem shouldn’t be too serious.

“He was taken off more as a precaution than anything else,” McCarthy said, “and Chris Wilder hopes to have Enda available for the Premier League game against Norwich on Saturday week.

“If he gets back in time for that one then he will have plenty of time for first team action before we meet up in Dublin on March 24th.”