CHERRIES star Eunan O’Kane has described as “immense” the prospect of working with Republic of Ireland legends Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane.

O’Kane moved a step closer to winning international recognition when he was put on stand-by for the first squad named by the new management team.

The midfielder, capped by the Republic at under-21 level, is on a reserve list for friendlies against Latvia in Dublin tomorrow and against Poland in Poznan on Tuesday.

Under-21 boss Noel King selected a 27-man squad with new manager O’Neill and his assistant Keane, both midfielders during their playing days, taking charge for the first time against Latvia.

However, although Robbie Brady and Ciaran Clark have already withdrawn and midfielder Anthony Pilkington is a doubt, no additional players have, as yet, been drafted in for the double-header.

Born near Derry and capped at every level between under-16 and under-21 by Northern Ireland, O’Kane switched allegiance to the Republic for footballing reasons in October 2011.

He told the Daily Echo: “It was good to be put on stand-by and was better than not being involved at all. I hope to get capped sometime in the future and it is nice to know I am in their thoughts.

“If I can keep putting in performances and playing well at this level, hopefully, my chance will come.

“Once Martin O’Neill’s name had been mentioned for the position, I don’t think there was any surprise when he got the job. I think the biggest shock was Roy Keane going with him because everyone had seen him as a possible candidate.

“I think it will be great for the country as a whole and Roy Keane’s influence will raise everyone’s spirits. There will be a feelgood factor in the country and I don’t think anyone can question Martin O’Neill’s credentials as a manager. Everywhere he has been, he has done well and, hopefully, he will be able to recreate that in international games.”

O’Kane, who has been restricted to six starts in the Championship due to a couple of niggling injuries, added: “It would be immense to get the chance to work with two giants of the game in the Republic.

“I try to learn as much as I can from Richard Hughes because he has a wealth of knowledge. If I am stuck with anything or unsure about something, I speak to him and ask him because he has been there and done it.

“It would be the same with Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane. If I could get myself into those circles and around those people, it would only help me as a player which, in turn, would help Bournemouth.”