BURNLEY defender Kevin Long admitted he was 'shocked' by his first call-up to a Republic of Ireland squad this week.

The 26-year-old was named in a 37-man squad for friendlies with Mexico and Uruguay and a World Cup qualifier with Austria in Dublin.

The former Cork City man's inclusion took the number of Clarets in Martin O'Neill's squad to four, with Jeff Hendrick, Stephen Ward, and Robbie Brady also in the party for the three games in June.

The call-up capped a memorable couple of weeks for Long, who made his first Premier League start in the 2-2 draw with West Brom and followed it up with another start against Bournemouth last weekend.

But he admits the call for international football still came as a surprise to him.

"I wasn't expecting it. I'm shocked but really happy," he said.

"It was a nice surprise. I was just trying to concentrate on club football, so when I found out I was absolutely delighted.

"It's been a tough year but it's been a nice reward, getting a few games in towards the end of the season and I've really been enjoying it."

Until a couple of weeks ago Long had played just once this season, in the EFL Cup defeat to Accrington Stanley, and hadn't made a league start for the Clarets since December 2013.

He was watched by Ireland assistant Roy Keane recently and has caught the eye with games in the top flight, but now he's in the squad he's determined to win that first cap.

"Playing games in the Premier League is one of the highest levels you can play at, so people do take notice when you are playing," he said.

"I'm in the squad, so I want to play a game. If you're involved, everyone is going to want to play. I will go there, train as best I can and see what happens.

"It will be good to meet up for the first time, get to know the people, see what the training is like and hopefully I can do all right."

The only downside to the international call is that Long is now set to miss his brother's wedding.

He was due to be a groomsman at the ceremony but with the friendly against Mexico taking place in the United States he is not going to be able to make it.

"I think I will miss it. He won't be too happy, but if I play a game he'll be all right," Long told the Clarets' official website.

"I was also supposed to be going to Marbella with the family, but I'm sure they won't mind if I get a cap.

"I spoke to my parents and all my brothers and everyone is buzzing."