NEWPORT County AFC star Padraig Amond will be watching on TV rather than making his debut for the Republic of Ireland in Gibraltar this afternoon but he’s not giving up on his international dream, writes Andrew Penman.

Amond earned a shock call-up to the 38-man provisional Irish squad two weeks ago, despite plying his trade in League Two and being uncapped at the age of 30.

The Exiles’ top scorer did not make the final cut when Ireland boss Mick McCarthy trimmed his squad to 23 for the Euro 2020 qualifiers in Gibraltar today and against Georgia in Dublin on Tuesday.

But Amond is determined to do all he can to stay in McCarthy’s thinking between now and the end of the season.

“I’m obviously disappointed, but it’s still a huge honour to be picked in the provisional squad,” said the 21-goal striker.

“It’s nice to be there or thereabouts and I’ve just got to get on with things and do as much as I can for the club now.

“The more goals I score and the better the team is doing [the more chance I have of another call-up].”

County’s home clash with Oldham Athletic, which was scheduled for this afternoon, has been postponed due to the Latics having international call-ups of their own.

And that means the players have enjoyed some welcome time off since the win over Cheltenham Town last Friday.

“I was back home with my fiancé to do a bit of wedding planning,” explained Amond, who admits he could have an awkward decision to make if he earns another Irish call-up this summer.

“The wedding clashes with the Denmark game away, so that will be interesting one!”

Ireland play Denmark in Copenhagen on Friday, June 7. They then host Gibraltar in Dublin on Monday, June 10, when Amond and his then-wife Caoimhe are due to be on their honeymoon.

The Exiles do have players on international duty this weekend as winger Keanu Marsh-Brown represents Guyana in tonight’s crunch Gold Cup qualifier against Belize.

“I’m honoured to be here with the team,” said the 26-year-old, who joins older brother Ronayne in the national squad.

“We’re working hard together and we all have the same end goal – we want to reach the Gold Cup.”

Regan Poole and Momodou Touray are also both taking part in a Wales under-21s training camp this weekend and Jay Foulston is in the Netherlands with Wales under-19s, who play Spain today in a UEFA Under-19 European Championship Elite Round match.