Jeff Hendrick has been called up for international duty by the Republic of Ireland’s Under 21s.
The 20-year-old central midfielder has been named in Noel King’s squad for their forthcoming UEFA 2013 European Championship Qualifiers against Hungary (6th September) and Italy (10th September).
Both games are away fixtures for Ireland, who will have plenty of travelling to do as they look to keep their faint qualification hopes alive.
They sit six points behind Italy with two games left to play, but sit five points behind Turkey in second place who have played all eight of their games.
Hendrick missed their qualifier against Turkey earlier this month after fracturing his right wrist in Derby’s pre-season friendly at Chesterfield, but he has since had a splint fitted which allows him to play and train without causing any further damage.
Last season’s Young Player of the Year has been capped five times at Under 21 level, after stepping up from Ireland’s Under 19s squad last August.