Michael Obafemi challenged to push club and country ambitions with Ireland U21s

Michael Obafemi is on Republic of Ireland Under-21s duty in Italy (Simon Cooper/PA)

Michael Obafemi has been challenged to prove he can hack it in both international and Premier League football by firing the Republic of Ireland into the European Under-21 Championship finals.

The 20-year-old striker, who made his Ireland debut as a substitute in Denmark almost two years ago, was disappointed not to be included in Stephen Kenny’s first senior squad last month and has had to make due with just two brief appearances as a substitute for Southampton so far this season.