PATRICK BAMFORD can help England Under-21s qualify for next summer’s European Championships tonight, but the Middlesbrough striker admits his family have tried to persuade him to switch allegiances.

Gareth Southgate’s Young Lions take a slender advantage into this evening’s second leg with Croatia in Vinkovci after their 2-1 win at Molineux on Friday.

Second half goals from Harry Kane and Saido Berahino cancelled out Marko Livaja’s opener and a draw will be enough to secure England’s place at next summer’s tournament in Czech Republic.

Boro defender Ben Gibson played 90 minutes on Friday night, while Bamford was an unused substitute in his second call-up to the squad.

The on loan Chelsea striker has scored twice since joining the Teessiders on a six-month loan deal, but his first taste of international football came in 2010 when he was selected to play for the Republic of Ireland Under-18s.

Soon after, Bamford, who qualifies to play for the Republic through his Irish grandparents, represented England Under-19sbut despite pressure to go back to his Irish roots the 21-year-old has his heart set on a prominent role for the Young Lions should they secure qualification.

“I started off with Ireland U17s but my aim was always to play for England,” Bamford said. “I finally got called up with the Under 21s, I was a bit disappointed not to be involved in the last one but hopefully, I will be in the running for the next squad (after being included in this one).

“It is still my aim to play for England but I have my Mum’s side of the family who are all Irish, and they are pushing me. But I think I am English and we will see what happens.

Bamford is eligible to play for the Under-21s for the next two years and an impressive spell on Teesside could help the striker cement his place in Southgate’s plans.

He has made a good impression since arriving at Boro with Aitor Karanka’s side sitting one point off the top of the Championship.

Bamford is no stranger to battling at the top of the second tier having helped Derby County reach the play-off final last season, and is aiming to repeat that with Boro.

“I sure hope we can challenge here like I did with Derby last year,” Bamford said. “That was one of the things I wanted, to be in a team that was going to be pushing for promotion again.

“I think the team is more than capable.”

Bamford was bought in after Boro let Marvin Emnes, Lukas Jutkiewicz and Kei Kamara leave the Riverside.

Sierra Leone international Kamara agreed to have his contract terminated after falling down the pecking order. After signing for MLS side Columbus Crew, the striker insists he left on good terms.

“Things were good at Boro,” he said. “I got the transfer over there and Tony Mowbray was the manager who gave me my shot and an opportunity, and I proved myself and scored some goals.

“I got knocked down with an injury later on in the season and a new manager (Karanka) came in.

“Everything was still going well but different people have a different view with the way they want to play, and maybe I wasn’t perfect enough for the formation or the style of play that was coming into Boro.

“I didn’t think I could help the club as much anymore so mutually we spoke about it what the future would be for the club and it was a mutual agreement.

“I am happy and wish them the best of luck.”

Meanwhile, England Under-18 defender Dael Fry has signed his first professional contract at Boro.