‘Best chance’ - Doncaster Rovers duo give added incentive to make history during this month’s international break

Doncaster Rovers defender Sean Grehan and winger Leon Ayinde have been called up to represent the Republic of Ireland Under-21 side as they prepare for arguably the most important international break of their careers so far.

Dublin-born Grehan, who has been capped 18 times at Under-21 level, has captained the team in four of their last five internationals and notably played a key role in helping the nation qualify for the play-offs, scoring in a 2-0 win over Slovakia and also playing the full 90 minutes as the Boys in Green secured a shock 3-1 victory over reigning European champions England at the Tallaght Stadium.

Ayinde is slightly less experienced at international level with just four caps at the age group, but has proven in his early months at Rovers that he is a player capable of making an impact, notably scoring the winner against Burton Albion in a Man of the Match display while also getting an assist against Peterborough United in a 2-0 win before the break.

The former Ipswich Town man has been a starter in all of Rovers league games since the break and is slowly developing into a trusted member of Grant McCann’s team.

Both will hope to play a key role in helping their nation qualify for the Under-21 European Championship for the first time in their history - and they’ve been given extra incentive to impress after receiving a special visit from national team boss Heimir Hallgrimson.

Grehan said, via the Irish Sun: “He just came up and chatted to us and said a few nice words. Just saying he was behind us and telling us how well we’ve done so far.

“He was saying he had a story about how much of an achievement it was for the Iceland Under-21s to qualify in 2011. He hopes we can do it.

“He spoke to us really well. Just giving us that confidence that he’s behind us as well, which is always nice.

“He’s always watching. Every time you put on the jersey, you have to perform and give yourself the best chance you can to try and get up there to the senior team.”

Grehan added: “It might be the last time you wear the jersey. It would mean so much — if we had a tournament in the summer to look forward to, it would be just amazing.”

Standing in the nation's way at this moment is Finland. The first meeting between the teams is set to take place on Friday 13 November at the Tammelan Stadion in Tampere. While the all-important decider comes at 5.45pm GMT on Tuesday 17 November, with the match taking place at the Munster FA Turners Cross Stadium in Cork.

Elsewhere, Tommy Simkin has been included as one of England’s four Under-21 goalkeepers for this month’s international break. The promising shot-stopper has never featured for the Three Lions at that age group but does boast experience at Under-18 and Under-20 level.

Darren Robinson and Bayley McCann, who represented Northern Ireland at Under-21 level last month, won’t be involved in this international break as the nation is out of action. This means they’ll have additional time to work at Cantley Park with their fellow teammates ahead of a crucial Yorkshire derby away at Bradford City on Saturday 21 November.