Chesterfield striker backed to earn place in Northern Ireland squad for Italy World Cup play-off semi-final

The 26-year-old has scored eight goals in his last 10 appearances, taking him to 10 in total for the term since his summer move from Dutch side ADO Den Haag. His latest goal came in the 1-0 win against Shrewsbury Town on Saturday, with the forward sharply swivelling and finding the bottom corner after collecting a pass from Lewis Gordon.

Bonis’ fellow Northern Irishman Will Grigg was the last Spireites player to score 20 goals in a season, which came when they breezed to the National League title in the 2023/2024 campaign. Bonis’ one and only cap for his country came in October 2024 but if he carries on the form he is currently in then his next one won’t be far away.

The Green and White Army play Italy away on March 26 in a World Cup play-off semi-final. If they win that then they will travel to either Wales and Bosnia and that will decide who advances to take their place at the World Cup held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Gary Roberts told the DT: “If you get 10 goals before Christmas you are normally on for a good number. At the minute, he looks like he is going to score every game. He didn’t have many chances today (against Shrewsbury) but his finish sums up where he is at the minute. His confidence is through the roof. He took it in, got a yard, shuffled again, got another yard, and his contact on the ball was superb. It is the main position on the pitch for me, if you have got a striker firing you have got a chance, and hopefully it continues.”

Bonis’ potential call-up would mean he would miss a couple of games for Chesterfield at a crucial part of the season. However, if that was the case, those fixtures could potentially be postponed if two more of their players are also called-up by their international sides.

Roberts added: “He has been on standby the last couple of times so we have been on the fringes of losing him. His performances will see him back in the national squad no doubt. I think there are a couple of other lads who are on the fringes similar to him. With the way he is playing, it is brilliant for us.”