Speaking before the final international window of the year, Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill described the number nine jersey as one position where he was “still searching for an option”.
Almost three years since his return to the job, and four months before a World Cup play-off semi-final, the former Stoke City boss’ selections have given the impression that, if he is set on 10 of his first-choice XI, centre-forward remains the place where he is most open to persuasion.
After adding that he “would love someone to really step up”, on Monday night against Luxembourg it was the turn of Tottenham Hotspur attacker Jamie Donley to press his claim as the third different player to lead the line in as many games.
With the winning goal from the penalty spot, and an earlier effort chalked off for an offside, the 20-year-old – currently on loan at Stoke – certainly made the most compelling case of any player to date for an extended run in the position.
Indeed, O’Neill felt Donley was the “best player on the pitch” in what was a dead-rubber qualifier for next summer’s World Cup in North America.
“I wanted to see him as a nine,” continued the manager after Northern Ireland finished their Group A campaign with nine points from six games and in third place behind Germany and Slovakia.
“Look, there’s no secret that the nine is a problem position for us. I think Jamie has different attributes maybe from some of the other strikers.
“I thought he did really well in the game. He’s clever, his link-up play is good. He is a very talented boy.”
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More used to playing in a deeper position, Donley may not have the physicality of a more orthodox number nine but, quite aside from putting the ball in the net on two occasions, he was a willing runner in the channels too.
“You’re the last line of attack,” Donley said of the main difference between playing up front compared to as a number 10.
“Normally I’m behind the striker. I know I’ve always got someone behind me, but it’s more about running and stretching the game.
“I think I can add that to my game definitely because I don’t think I do enough of that. Michael says that to me a lot about running in behind because the team needs that sometimes.”
Should Donley develop his skills in leading the line, there is no doubt his playmaking ability from deep would still be an asset too.
There is no better example than England and Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane, a player Donley previously trained with at Spurs.
“He helped me a lot when he was around,” said Donley of Tottenham’s record goalscorer who moved to Germany in August 2023.
“Just different types of advice and stuff. It’s good to learn from the best.”