Alan Judge knows the prize of playing at Euro 2016 is within his grasp, as long as he performs well for Brentford.
The Republic of Ireland qualified for the tournament in France after beating Bosnia and Herzegovina over two legs.
Judge was a part of the squad but not a part of the team for those games but October's Championship player of the month could find himself at the Euros if he performs for Brentford.
Outgoing head coach Lee Carsley said: “What a carrot he has dangling over him. It's important he keeps scoring and getting in assists. Playing in a summer tournament will be good for Brentford.”
Carsley represented Ireland at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan and he reflected on the controversial build-up, where Roy Keane was sent home and the tournament itself.
He explained: “It's a big build-up for a competition. We spent a long time together. We went to four or five countries and had a bit of drama with Roy going home.
“It broke the boredom up a bit and gave us something to talk about.”
He added: “It was something you always dream of. Playing in the back garden it's the World Cup or the FA Cup.
“It's quite surreal. I remember being in the players room before the tournament started and watching the first game as Senegal beat France.
“We were thinking we're in the World Cup. Outside our hotel and there were 100,000 South Korean fans outside watching the game. It was busy out there. I spent a lot of time in the room.”
