Chiedozie Ogbene says he's not taking his Republic of Ireland career for granted as the Rotherham United forward prepares for the upcoming friendlies with Norway and Malta.
Ogbene, who made his senior international debut 18 months ago against Andorra, has gone on to earn 11 caps, scoring three goals in that time, and becoming a real favourite under manager Stephen Kenny.
Added to that he's played 18 games at club level this season, finding the back of the net six times after recovering from a hamstring strain.
After Wigan's Will Keane and Birmingham City's Scott Hogan withdrew from the squad earlier this week due to injuries, the former Cork City player is even more likely to see game time on Thursday against the Norwegians, as Kenny attempts to fine tune his potential options ahead of next year's European Championship qualifier campaign.
But Ogbene says that the trajectory of Jamie McGrath shows how quickly you can fall out of favour after a spell in the green jersey.
The former Dundalk winger was also a regular in Kenny's squads while playing with St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership. A deadline day move to Wigan in January then saw him play just four games in total for the Latics - between League One, EFL Cup and FA Cup - and this led his exclusion from Kenny's plans.
He's back in the squad now, but only after returning to Scotland with a loan move to Dundee United.
"From the first day I've always said how privileged I am to be in this position," Ogbene said on Tuesday afternoon.
"Many players miss out and I'm here. We're all working so hard to be where we are today. You never take this position for granted because I've seen players come here and not come back again.
"To be called upon is a huge honour for me and I take it seriously every time I'm here. That's why I worked really hard to get my hamstring right to hopefully get a chance against Norway or Malta.
"These caps mean a lot to me and my family, and we all want to be here.
"When I first came here players like Jamie McGrath - who's come back in now - he had to sacrifice a lot. He's dropped his ego to go back to Scotland, to prove himself, and give himself more gametime to come back here.
"That's what it takes. It didn't take [him] a month, it takes many months to get back here. So when I'm here I try to stay focused, push and give my all."
The tough draw for Ireland is well know at this stage, with France and the Netherlands due in Dublin next year as the Republic battle for one of the two available automatic qualification places in Group B.
The play-offs might be a more likely option, but a poor Nations League campaign means that the Boys in Green are depending on other teams qualifying for a play-off place to come their way.
And, in Greece, they'll be potentially battling for third place with a nation determined to get back to the finals on the 20th anniversary of their greatest hour, when they won the tournament in Portugal in 2004.
Ahead of such an important year for the team, Ogbene has been speaking about what he can bring to the team - and where he feels he can still improve.
"I'm giving off an energy and being a type of player that the team would like to have.
"I don't think I'm the main man. With my pace and power, and my ability to stretch the pitch I think it's something that the coaches like in me. That's why the call upon me every time.
There will be more than just pride at stake when the Republic of Ireland face Norway and Malta in the coming days, with Chiedozie Ogbene and his team-mates viewing the friendlies as important preps for Euro 2024 qualifying. pic.twitter.com/UdI07wKdMA
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"It's something I really want to improve on," he said of his goal scoring record.
"I looked at my stats and I don't take enough shots per game. Maybe it's the style of play at Rotherham but I want to improve that.
"I'm sure you'd prefer me scoring two every game! As a striker you want to score more goals, you want to contribute to the team, even if it's [an] assist.
"Just to be part of the build-up, to be effective for the team. That's what I'm working on. I watch my clips a lot, trying to improve my movements. As a striker if you're not shooting, you're asking a lot for the team to score goals in another way.
"I look at it [clips] off my own bat, but I have coaches that can help me and give me information. We have analysts, and if you need info you can ask them for everything. They will help you, sit down with you, and go over things."
One player who has been touted as a potential future star for Ireland is Evan Ferguson, who received his first senior call-up in this window.
Stephen Kenny, in explaining his decision to give the 18-year-old the nod, suggested that Ferguson has massive potential but needs game time. A move in January, the Ireland manager added, could see the Brighton & Hove Albion man become a regular in the national squad.
Ferguson, who helped the U-21s get so close to qualifying for a first European Championship before defeat to Israel in the play-offs in September, signed his first professional contract last month, although the Bettystown man's game time has been limited to the U-21 Premier League, as well as the Carabao Cup
"I never realised how big he was - when you see him in person, he's a big lad," Ogbene added when asked about training with Ferguson.
"He's eager and very physical, and he works really hard. So I'm hoping for great things for him.
"The abilities he has at 18 I don't think I had at 21. That's credit to him and how much he has worked hard on his ability to be here.
"Do you know what I like about him? The way he's training. Obviously he's grateful for where he is, but he's taking his opportunity. He's not shying off tackles, he's getting stuck in.
"So I think that's going to play a big part in his career."
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