James Abankwah in no way ahead of schedule

James Abankwah arrives before a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

James Abankwah says it would “mean everything” to make his Republic of Ireland debut having confirmed that there was never any prospect of representing Ghana, the country of his parents’ birth.

On loan at Watford from Udinese in Italy, the 21-year-old defender has been superb for the Hornets since moving from Serie A during the last transfer window and it has earned him a call-up from Heimir Hallgrimsson.