CALLUM O’Dowda is on a mission to impress Martin O’Neill next week as the Oxford United winger attempts to book a place in Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2016 squad.

The uncapped 21-year-old was the big surprise in O’Neill’s 35-man provisional selection earlier this month.

They will meet up on Monday at the FAI’s National Training Centre in Abbottstown on the outskirts of Dublin.

The week’s training builds up to a friendly with the Netherlands at the Aviva Stadium on Friday, after which O’Neill will begin to trim down the group.

They host Belarus on May 31 before final 23-man squad flies to the tournament in France, where Ireland are in Group E alongside Belgium, Sweden and Italy.

O’Dowda is an outsider to get on the plane, but it will not stop the winger from doing all he can to seize the opportunity.

He said: “It’s massive for me really.

“I want to show everyone what I can do and I will be going out with no fear.

“If I can catch the eye of the coaches this week it will be fantastic and hopefully I can get on the plane to the Euros.”

The Kidlington winger qualifies for Ireland via a paternal grandfather and made his debut for the under 21 side in March 2015.

He has been a regular starter since, opening his goalscoring account against Lithuania last October, before adding another against Slovenia in March.

The latter strike was part of a strong finish to the campaign, where O’Dowda ended up with 12 goals for club and country.

Despite being a newcomer on the international scene, the U’s star said in October making Ireland’s squad for Euro 2016 was an ambition.

He said: “It was something I was aiming for, but in the back of my mind you did wonder if it was going to happen.

“I think it helps other people see what can happen.

“The other day I was playing in League Two and now I’ve been called up to the senior Ireland squad.

“Just to play against Holland would be amazing – the names in there are all world class.

“I’m just grateful to be picked.”

O’Dowda also paid tribute to the role United, and head coach Michael Appleton in particular, have played to help him juggle to dual commit-ments.

He added: “It’s difficult because you have to balance the Irish games with league games, but the gaffer here has been really good to me.

“He has always encouraged me to go away with Ireland because he says it will help my development.”