Walsall defender David Okagbue eager to rack up the caps

Okagbue made his Ireland under-21s debut alongside Walsall loanee Darius Lipsiuc in a 3-2 win over Sweden in Marbella last November. 

In the next international break, Ireland will face Scotland (Friday, March 21) and Hungary (Monday,  March 24) - with both games being played at the Pinatar Arena in Murcia, Spain.

And Okagbue is hoping to keep himself on the international radar with his performances for Walsall.

He said: "I spoke to the manager a few weeks ago and he was just saying positive things about the last camp. 

"Hopefully if I just keep myself in the team and keep playing then I'll be in with the chance of another call-up."

Okagbue was previously capped five times by Ireland at under-19 level but went over two years without an international appearance.

Ireland kick-off their Euro Under-21 qualification campaign in September and have been included in a six-nation group alongside England, Slovakia, Moldova, Kazakhstan and Andorra. 

Walsall loanee Tommy Simkin is yet to make his England under-21 bow but Okagbue is hopeful that he will cross paths with his teammate when Ireland take on the Three Lions during the qualifiers.

"We've got a lot of friendlies coming up until September when the first competitive games start," he continued.

"Ireland vs England is a big game. Hopefully I can be in and around that and play against Tommy Simkin maybe as well."