Eoin Toal has enjoyed a dream few months since breaking into the side at Bolton and could now get the chance to make his international debut.

The defender has been called up to the Northern Ireland senior squad for the first time and could be involved in the European Championship qualifiers against San Marino and Finland later this month.

Team-mates Conor Bradley and Dion Charles have also been named in Michael O’Neill’s first squad back in the hot seat.

“It is brilliant,” said Toal. “It is something that I have always dreamed of, and to be called up in my first six months at Bolton is something I am really proud of. It is a great achievement.

“It was always my aim. I have played lots of games for the Under-21 side.

“Obviously, when you come out of the Under-21s you want to get into the first team. I was still playing back in Ireland.

“I think there are one or two who are still in Ireland who have been called up, but I think with the other centre-halves, I would have needed to be playing at a high standard to get called in.”

O’Neill has watched Toal in action several times and there had been talk of a potential call-up in recent weeks.

But the 24-year-old chose to stay focused on his performances at Wanderers as Ian Evatt’s men aim to push for promotion to the Championship.

“I kind of knew in the back of my head that, as you’ve seen with Conor and Dion, if I was playing in the team I would have a good chance of getting called up,” he added.

“But I wasn’t fully focusing on that. Coming over here, I just wanted to get into the team and play regular football.”

Toal is confident his past experience at youth level will stand him in good stead as O’Neill’s side aim to make a positive start to their qualifying campaign and compete for a place at next year’s tournament in Germany.

“Obviously, this is only my first time in the senior squad but coming up through the Under-21s, you learn a lot about the first team so you can make the step up if you ever get called upon,” the defender explained.

“Anytime I have been in the Under-21 squad - especially when Michael has been manager – we went into every game trying to put our best foot forward.

“If we had the chance, we would go and watch first-team matches and they are very exciting games.”

The Bolton man is now relishing the prospect of stepping out onto the pitch at Windsor Park and experiencing the intense atmosphere first-hand.

“A lot of people would probably come up and watch me,” he smiled. “It is only 40 minutes from where I lived originally.

“It would be great, it will be a full house and the supporters are brilliant. I am looking forward to it.”