Will Grigg's international ambition

Will Grigg has vowed to make an international impact after being given a pep talk by Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington.

The Walsall striker is primed for tonight's Euro 2011 Championship qualifier in Germany, fresh from a debut goal in the under-21 team's 4-0 win over San Marino on Friday.

Grigg, who qualifies for Northern Ireland through his granddad, made his long-awaited Saddlers breakthrough this season with three substitute appearances – almost two years after his debut.

Ahead of tonight's clash, the 19-year-old has targeted establishing himself at international level after Worthington backed him.

He said: "Will always comes away with the 21s and he's usually there for the 19s so I speak to him a bit and he seems happy with me. He's always there and involved, he's good like that and if I play well he says I can always get my chance.

"It's a lot of hard work though. I have played a lot for the Under-19s so hopefully now I can push my way into the Under-21s.

"When I go away I learn new things all the time, there are different training methods and the lads have got good abilities."

The Saddlers' Manchester City loanee Ryan McGivern was also on the scoresheet as the pair missed Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Colchester.

They will return to the club on Thursday ahead of Saturday's League One trip to Rochdale and McGivern admits he is fears for his place.

He said: "You do worry about getting your place back. It's not like the Premiership or Championship when there's an international break.

"At League One and League Two level, you go away and your club still plays, so you do worry about how it affects your club life a little but you can't think too much about it.

"When you're on international duty, you only think about your country.

"When you're back with the lads, it's just about your club."