CALLUM O'Dowda is thrilled to have been asked to stay on and train with the Republic of Ireland squad for the rest of the week.

The Oxford United winger made his senior international debut as a substitute in last night's 2-1 defeat to Belarus in Cork.

Although the 21-year-old missed out on Martin O'Neill's final selection for Euro 2016, he is continuing to train with the squad.

O'Dowda was part of the session this morning and is expecting to stay at the Fota Island Resort until the weekend.

The rising star is unsure whether it puts him in pole position to go to France if a player was injured this week, but he is delighed to prolong the first experience of a senior camp.

Speaking to the Oxford Mail from the team hotel, he said: "I’m not sure to be honest.

"There could be some injuries so I could be the next in, but there are other players who were cut.

"The manager just wants me to experience as much as I can.

"That’s why he brought me in so when the next competition comes I’m not intimidated by it."

O'Dowda is still pinching himself after getting on last night.

"It was crazy," he said.

"I spoke to the manager before the game and he said he was going to try and get me on at one point so I just had to be ready.

"I got the nod with about 15 minutes to go and it was an incredible experience if I’m honest.

"Going on to the pitch was an unbelievable feeling. My family was there so that a nice touch."

And when the attacker from Kidlington got off the pitch, his mobile phone almost crashed with the volume of messages.

He said: "I haven’t even read it all, they were coming in left, right and centre.

"My battery nearly died receiving them all.

"It was nice to see so many people at home sending messages."