John O'Shea hints at Ireland call-ups for Jake O'Brien and Sammie Szmodics

O'Brien has been in excellent form for Lyon while Szmodics is currently the Championship's top goal-scorer on 20.

IRLEAND'S CALL: John O'Shea has hinted that Cork native Jake O'Brien is in line to earn his first call up to the Republic of Ireland senior set-up. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

John O'Shea has hinted that Cork native Jake O'Brien is in line to earn his first call up to the Republic of Ireland senior set-up.

The former Cork City defender has impressed with Lyon since making the move from Crystal Palace last summer, making 20 appearances and scoring three goals in Ligue 1.

O’Shea will name his squad for the friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland next Thursday but speaking to TalkSport, he revealed he is likely to call up some "fresh faces" to his squad, which may also include Blackburn Rovers' forward Sammie Szmodics.

“I was at Blackburn and Millwall. Ultimately, the squad won’t change too much because you’re wanting to keep that bit of consistency," said O'Shea, who witnessed Szmodics net his 20th Championship goal of the season against Millwall, cancelling out Michael Obafemi's opener.

“But there might be one or two fresh faces in the squad. We’ll see what happens over the next 10 or 14 days, hopefully everyone is fit and we can look forward to a good camp.

“The big thing now at the minute is I’m looking at games in France and Italy to catch up on lads who could potentially be in the squad.

“They’re spread far and wide. Because of the Brexit rules some of the younger talent in Italy has gone to Italy and France.

“If something happens more permanently down the line I’d be looking towards some of the younger lads.

“There’s a good talent pool in the under-19s and under-17s, they’re really talented and it won’t be long before putting lot more pressure on the lads.

“I think when you see the age profile of the Irish squad now, and where the lads are playing, and they’re slowly but surely getting more game time, they’re developing and there’s more lads playing in the Premier League again, it definitely will be the case.

“Ultimately, you still feel you have a chance in every campaign because deep down there’s that belief and spirit and history behind you of qualifying for major tournaments. You have to have belief.

“The big thing for me is game time for the younger boys. They’re at good clubs but they have to make sure that they’re playing. That’s the key aspect coming into international level.

“Yeah at times it’s a bit slower than the Premier League or Championship, pace-wise, but then in that moment when you have to be attacking or defending, in that split-second if you don’t have that match sharpness, that’s where it can catch you out.”

Ireland's friendlies against the Belgians and the Swiss are certain to be the only two games of O'Shea's interim spell in charge, with the FAI confident of appointing a long-term successor to Stephen Kenny in April.

But even though that may be the case, the former Waterford man is keen to make the most of his opportunity.

“Look, they’re two games in Dublin and that’s the big thing for me. The Irish fans backing us, backing the players, the staff and myself, we’ll give Belgium and Switzerland two good games," he added.

“There’s nothing to be that fearful of, it’s two games of football, we’ll go out and enjoy it and give it a right go.

“Hopefully, we’ll get the Aviva rocking with something to cheer and come out with two good results.”