Ireland defender growing into his shirt for both club and country

JASON KNIGHT has no intention of limiting the scale of his ambition for club or country. Not with a World Cup to fight for, and a Premier League dream to realise.

- BY PAUL O'HEHIR

Heimir Hallgrimsson opted to rest the Championship players for these June friendlies against Senegal on Friday and in Luxembourg on Tuesday.

With their regular season having finished in early May, the Ireland boss didn't want to risk injury by springing games on them a month later.

Not with the World Cup qualifying campaign looming in September, so the likes of March's most impressive performer, Finn Azaz, is sitting these ones out.

But there are some exceptions with Knight and Bristol City team-mate Max O'Leary joining veteran Preston North End ace Robbie Brady as Championship representatives.

“I could be in Albufeira, you're right, but there's always time for holidays,” said midfielder Knight, first blooded by Stephen Kenny.

“I know I'm young, but these caps and these opportunities are gold dust and I'm trying to grab them as much as I can. This is the dream, this is where I want to be and I'm excited to be here for these two games and hopefully many more.”

Much was made of Nathan Collins playing every minute of every game in Brentford’s Premier League campaign this season.