Oxford United midfielder Oisin Smyth relishing chance to impress at NI training camp

Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough is set to run his eye over Oxford United midfielder Oisin Smyth at a special international training camp in England next week.

Smyth, who joined The Us from Dungannon Swifts for an undisclosed fee in January, is still awaiting his debut for the League One club.

But Baraclough is an admirer and has invited the 22-year-old to attend a four day camp at St George’s Park as a precursor to next month’s Nations League kick-off.

“I’m looking forward to next week,” Smyth told Oxford's official website. “It’s a chance to be around the senior group and nice to be part of that.

"Obviously I have had to be patient (at Oxford), but at the same time I have worked hard and feel like I have now made that adjustment to full-time football.

“Gavin Whyte, Mark Sykes and Luke McNally all had a similar experience when they came over to Oxford and they have been great with me, telling me to be patient and be ready when I do get my chance.

“Hopefully I can meet up with the Northern Ireland squad and continue to learn from experiences like this.”

Baraclough is using next week’s get-together to assess the fitness levels of regular squad members and give several U21 and U19 players a taste of the senior set-up.

He said: “It will enable the younger players to showcase what they’re all about and increase their experience of international football with the senior team coaches and players.”

Dungannon Swifts confirmed earlier this week that teenage midfielder Terry Devlin will also be part of the training camp at St George’s Park.

Northern Ireland face four Nations League League C group games in June, starting with a home fixture against Greece on June 2.

Respective away trips to Cyprus and Kosovo on June 5 and 9