Martin Samuelsen is hoping to make his full international debut for Norway in Wednesday’s meeting with Iceland in Olso.
The West Ham United winger was an unused substitute as the Norwegians fell to a 3-0 defeat in Portugal on Sunday evening, having been called into the senior squad from the U21s by coach Per-Mathias Høgmo.
Despite the arrival of home-based players in the squad, the 19-year-old has been retained and could be handed his senior bow when Høgmo’s side welcome the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers to the Ullevaal Stadium.
The Norway coach has said publicly that Samuelsen’s opportunity ‘will surely come sooner or later’ but said he had opted not to throw the Hammers youngster and fellow teenager Ulrik Yttergård Jenssen into Sunday’s defeat in Porto.
“I wasn’t sure I would be retained in the senior squad for this match, but when I heard I would be I was happy,” said Samuelsen, who made his Hammers debut in a UEFA Europa League second qualifying round win over Maltese side Birkirkara at the Boleyn Ground in July 2015. “Hopefully I’ll make my debut in the next match.
“I don’t think it makes much difference that this game is at home and the Portugal game was away in Lisbon, but this game is against a slightly different opponent.
“I did allow my expectations to build up on Sunday when I was asked to warm-up, and I was disappointed there and then when I didn’t come on, but now my head is clear and I’m ready for the next game.
“I’ll do my best and hopefully it will be good enough for senior international level.”
Elsewhere, fellow teenager Anthony Scully has been named in the Republic of Ireland U18 squad for an Invitational Tournament in Sweden.
The Hammers midfielder and his fellow Boys in Green will meet Hungary in Kastvallen on Thursday 2 June at 7pm local time, before tackling the Swedes at Stalringens ishall at 11am local time on Saturday 4 June.