Republic of Ireland have made their move to try and secure the international future of Rovers youngster Zak Gilsenan by naming him in their Under-19s squad for their upcoming double-header.

Gilsenan has been involved in something of a tug-of-war during his teenage years, with the former Barcelona prospect having represented Australia at youth level.

The 18-year-old, who is also available for England, spent time with Ireland Under-19s in a training camp earlier this year and has now received a call-up ahead of games with Sweden on October 8 and October 11.

Both of those will be played in Marbella as build-up for the UEFA Under-19 European qualifiers in Bulgaria next month.

Gilsenan made his first Premier League 2 start of the season against Chelsea at the weekend, having previously made two substitute appearances since penning professional terms with Rovers in the summer.

That came on the back of excellent form for the Under-18s, scoring eight times and contributing three assists in 21 appearances.

He will miss Friday’s Premier League Cup tie with Middlesbrough on Friday, owing to his international commitments, with boss Mike Sheron already without Louie Annesley (Gibraltar) and Ashley Phillips (England Under-17s).

Rovers fought off competition to land Gilsenan four years ago after leaving Liverpool, the talented attacker having also spent two years in Barcelona’s La Masia Academy set-up.

He featured in the pre-season friendly defeat at Bradford City this summer, but it still waiting for his first competitive involvement in the senior squad.