Southend United striker Barry Conlon is hoping a short break in the heart of the Scottish Highlands will help him to rebuild his international career.

The 20-year-old hitman is part of the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad which has travelled north of the border to compete in the three-team President's Cup tournament against Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Conlon was a playing substitute in a 1-0 defeat against Scotland at non-league Elgin City's ground on Monday, but will start this evening's clash against close rivals Northern Ireland, staged at Inverness Caledonian Thistle's home.

"I haven't started a game for the Republic's under-21 side for nearly ten months and I'm raring to have a go at Northern Ireland tonight," said Conlon.

"The rivalry between us and Northern Ireland is very strong which adds extra spice to these encounters, with the challenges going in nice and hard.

"But it's all in good spirit and I'm sure we can beat them. I'll be hoping to score because I know a few of their lads and it will be nice to shut them up."

Conlon, who is still suspended from under-21 European Championship qualifiers following a red card against Croatia last September, is desperate to put on a good performance.

"We've got two big European Championship qualifiers coming up against Yugoslavia and Macedonia in Ireland within the next week and I'd love to be involved," he added.

"If we win both games we should qualify for the finals, and although I'm still suspended for the Yugoslavia match this Friday, it would be great to get back into contention for the Macedonia game next Tuesday with a good display tonight."

Meanwhile, teenage Shrimpers forward Trevor Fitzpatrick has just returned home from Republic of Ireland under-18 duty in Holland.

The 19-year-old, who qualifies for the squad as an over-age player, was competing in an under-21 tournament hosted by newly-crowned Dutch champions Feyenoord.

Fitzpatrick played against the highly-respected youth sides of Bayern Munich, PSV Eindhoven and Chilean side Colo Colo.

The Irish under-18's lost all three group games against their more illustrious opponents, but did manage to clinch sixth place in the competition with a 2-0 victory over QPR.

Fitzpatrick is now expected to be part of the under-18 squad travelling to Sweden for the European Youth Championship finals in July, where he will face Spain, Italy and Georgia in the opening group stages.

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