CALLUM O’Dowda will have a close eye on Republic of Ireland’s play-off tonight – because he wants to be on the plane to Euro 2016 if they beat Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The winger will miss Oxford United’s Sky Bet League Two clash with Cambridge United tomorrow due to a call-up for the Irish under 21 side.

They are away to Lithuania in an important Euro 2017 qualifier tonight, but the senior tournament in France next summer is also on O’Dowda’s mind.

And the 20-year-old has set himself the goal of playing well enough for United to catch manager Martin O’Neill’s eye before the end of the season.

He said: “Definitely, if they get through I want to be involved next year.

“That’s going to be the aim for me, along with putting my mark down with Oxford.

“I will give it a go. I back myself and my ability, hopefully others can as well.”

“Pushing on is all we talk about (in the under 21s). Our manager Noel King always asks us what you want to do and we always say ‘play for the first team’.”

Getting into the squad for France would be a huge achievement for a player in Sky Bet League Two, although the provisional squad for the Bosnia games included goalkeeper David Forde, who plays in League One for Millwall.

O’Dowda’s aim will be to play as big a role as possible in what is hopefully a successful campaign at United, so he can be in a position to take advantage if those ahead of him miss out through injury.

The future is unclear, but one thing which is certain for the rising star, unlike many in the under 21 set-up, is support from his club.

O’Dowda said: “Me and the gaffer (Michael Appleton) have sat down and looked at the fixtures to see when I’ll be coming back and which days I should and shouldn’t be training because it is a bit full-on.

“I spoke to the gaffer about it and he didn’t see it as an irritation.

“He thinks international football is only going to help my development and if I miss a few Oxford games so be it, but if I can help us get promoted that’s all that matters.

“He reassured me that it’s beneficial.

“I haven’t had the pressure you get from some other clubs.

“The Ireland manager says he’s grateful for us being there because he knows a few players have been put under pressure by their clubs, but I haven’t had that here.”