MARK Sykes will have to wait a little longer for his senior international debut after watching the Republic of Ireland’s dramatic win over Lithuania from the bench.

The Oxford United midfielder was an unused substitute as his country triumphed 1-0 in Dublin, thanks to Troy Parrott’s fierce strike seven minutes into stoppage-time.

Sykes was also on the bench for Friday’s 2-2 draw with Belgium, but it will have still been a memorable week for the 24-year-old.

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The U’s player was called up to Stephen Kenny’s squad for the first time for this round of fixtures, having switched allegiance from Northern Ireland in August 2020.

Meanwhile, Sykes’ United teammates Gavin Whyte and Ciaron Brown endured a frustrating evening on international duty.

Both players started Northern Ireland’s 1-0 friendly defeat to Hungary in Belfast, having come off the bench in Luxembourg four days earlier.

Brown started on the left of a back three, where he has been playing for United, while Whyte was on the right wing.

The latter was substituted midway through the second half, while his teammate completed 90 minutes.

All three players will return to United before Saturday's crunch Sky Bet League One clash at promotion rivals Plymouth Argyle.