Dion Charles is aiming to take his scoring form at Wanderers to the international stage with Northern Ireland.

With four goals in his last six games at club level, there is a rising clamour around Windsor Park for national boss Ian Barraclough to give the Bolton striker his first start in this weekend’s home game with Kosovo.

Facing relegation to the bottom tier of the Nations League, Northern Ireland need to better Cyprus’s results over their next two matches, which includes a trip to Greece, to avoid being grouped with Europe’s minnows next time around.

Frustration has been vented at manager Ian Barraclough, who took over from Michael O’Neill in June 2020, with the team now 14 games without a victory in the competition – not least in the summer when a paltry two points were taken from four seemingly-winnable games.

Charles believes that the squad is better prepared now, with players like Conor Bradley having more game time at club level.

“Every time I have played at Windsor the crowd have been incredible and right behind us but, rightly so, if the performances are not there on the pitch then they have every right to have a moan. But I’d like to see them behind us to give us that extra edge,” he said.

“There is always pressure on us when we step on the pitch because the fans want us to win games. The June fixtures were not up to scratch so we need to put things right.

“As a whole, the squad is in a better place this time around. More players are playing week-in, week-out, so we’re looking forward to it.

Charles has eight caps for his country but is yet to make a start.

He spared Northern Ireland’s blushes in their previous group game at home to Cyprus, coming off the bench to create two late goals and salvage a point.

Now the Bolton striker hopes he can lead the line against Kosovo and become a regular starter for his country.

“I have had a conversation with Ian and let him know I am ready when called upon. I’m sure if I get the opportunity, I’ll take it,” he said.

“It was just a chat when I came in. We were talking about how I’d been doing at Bolton and things I could improve on.

“It has always been my aim since I came into the squad. International football is different to club football so I have had to bide my time a bit but hopefully I will get a start soon.

“My first aim is a start and I have confidence that I’ll get opportunities and I’ll score them.

“It has been frustrating because pretty much everywhere I have been, I have played. The international set-up is a different type of environment and it has taken time to find my feet but now I am looking forward.”

Charles also feels that playing for a club like Wanderers can push his claim for that starting spot.

“No disrespect to Accrington but it isn’t the biggest of clubs, so after my move to Bolton I have been playing in front of big crowds and that is only going to benefit me when I come away on international duty and do the same,” he added.

The fact Charles is now playing alongside Bradley at the UniBol is also a potential benefit for Northern Ireland as they look to rebuild towards the Euro qualifiers.

The pair combined well on Saturday – with wing-back Bradley unable to get a goal that would have seen him share top-scorer spot with Charles on four for the season so far.

“It is great to build relationships because things become second nature, you know the movements they make and where they want the ball,” Charles said.

“Conor and me have got a good relationship and I have been winding him up about those chances. He actually had one later in the game where he mis-hit one.

“He said he’ll have to cut me a bit of slack because it is harder than it looks.

“But he has been great for us so far, scored goals and been playing well.”

Liverpool loanee Bradley has been a valued addition to the Whites squad, and Charles sees no reason why he cannot go and carve out a career in the Premier League.

“He has got all the tools to go and have a really good career, so it’s about getting his head down and using those tools,” he said.

“I think he can go as far as he wants. He has played Champions League football at a very young age and he is obviously rated very highly by Liverpool but he has come to Bolton to get first team football and he is thriving at the minute, so long may that continue.”