Derrick Williams feels he hasn’t ‘looked out of place’ during his first taste of life in the Republic of Ireland senior set-up.

The Rovers full-back has trained with his national team this week after receiving his first call-up ahead of Friday’s friendly with Turkey.

Williams, along with fellow Rovers defender Darragh Lenihan, is eyeing a first cap in the match and the 25-year-old believes he can challenge for a place in Martin O’Neill’s starting line-up.

“It’s been very good,” he told RTÉ Sport of his first week with the national team.

“It’s tough training, you notice the step-up, but I haven’t looked out of place.

“I’m taking it all in, trying to learn from everybody, especially the senior players and the gaffer, to see how they do things and try adapt that in to my game.”

Capped at Under-19 and Under-21 level, it hasn’t been a straightforward path to the top for Williams.

Born in Germany to an Irish mother and American father, Williams moved to Ireland, via the United States, at the age of six.

He then rejected the advances of Manchester United to join Aston Villa before spending three years at Bristol City prior to joining Rovers.

Named player of the year in his debut season at Ewood Park he has been an ever present this campaign and indeed since Tony Mowbray took over as manager in February.

And despite relegation to League One, Williams was named in O'Neill's latest squad.

On his call-up, he added: “A bit surprised because we are in League One, but personally not surprised because I think I should be pushing into these squads.

“I do think I am good enough and it was pleasing to get the call.

“Left back, left centre-half, I don’t mind playing either position.

“It would be good to try and battle it out for one of those positions.”

Williams will return to Rovers after this weekend to help prepare for Thursday’s televised clash with Bradford City at Ewood.

Before that, he has ambitions of winning his first full cap.

He added: “My mom is buzzing.

“She has been texting me constantly since I have been here.

“It would be great because not a lot of people can say they have got a cap.”