Sheffield Wednesday: Keiren Westwood targets Republic of Ireland No 1 spot

The Owls goalkeeper made his first Republic start in over a year in their 4-0 friendly win at home to Oman last week. It was the 31-year-old’s 19th international cap.

But despite excelling for Wednesday over the last two seasons, Westwood has largely played provided back-up to David Forde, Shay Given and Darren Randolph.

It may well be Randolph who gets the nod in between the sticks for the Republic’s clash at the Rajko Mitic Stadium.

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Speaking to the Daily Star, Westwood said: “I am just happy to be involved now and the aim is to get in ahead of Darren Randloph. If it was the other way around, I am sure it would be Darren’s aim, too. But remember, it’s not just me and Darren.

“There are a few keepers vying for that shirt but the fact is it belongs to Darren at the moment. But he knows, because we are really good pals, that I am breathing down his neck.

“Any footballer will tell you that they want to play matches. I am no different because I am conscious of the fact that before I know it my career could be over – you want to be in a position whereby you can look back on your career and see how many games you have played in. You’re not in the game to be a squad player.

“I’m thrilled with how things are going for me at club level with Wednesday and I have been in and around the Ireland squad for a good few years now, too.”

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Although Westwood was included in the Republic’s European Championships squad over the summer, there has been talk of a fall-out between him and boss Martin O’Neill.

But Westwood insists he has no axe to grind with the former Leicester City and Aston Villa chief.

He said: “I don’t know why I was out of favour for a spell. The manager makes his decisions and I stick by them.

“I am a grown man and if you don’t get picked then, like anyone else, I try my damnedest to get back in.

“I was delighted to get picked. I worked really hard.

“The manager has said he knows what I can do, he has put his faith in me and put me in the squad.

“We haven’t had any difficulties between us.

“If other people had a look at the Ireland squad and saw I was playing club football but wasn’t being called up, perhaps they put two and two together and got six.”