Young Southend United striker Trevor Fitzpatrick was expected to spearhead the Republic of Ireland's challenge for the under-18 European Championships in Sweden last night.

Ireland kicked off their opening group match of the tournament's finals against Spain yesterday evening and the Blues front man was hoping he would be picked to lead their forward line in Scandinavia.

"It's a big challenge, but I'm more than up for it and confident of doing well," said the 19-year-old, who qualifies for the Irish team as an overage player.

Ireland, who are the competition's current holders, will also have to get past Georgia and Italy later in the week to qualify for the championships' knock-out stages.

"We've got a tough group, but the bunch of lads in this Irish team are more than capable of going all the way to the final again this year," Fitzpatrick added before last night's match.

"I'm especially looking forward to playing against Italy and Spain. Their players are very gifted technically and you never know I could be playing against some of the big stars of the future."

Fitzpatrick, who is gunning for a place in Southend's first team this season, also believes his involvement with the young Irish squad is helping him to develop into a better all round player.

"It's great to be taking part in a tournament as big as the European under-18 Championships finals," said Fitzpatrick, who netted five league goals for Southend last term.

"Playing against countries as strong as Italy and Spain can only help me become an even better player.

"But I'm already very confident in my own ability and I'm sure I can get a few goals over the next few days and fire us into the final."

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