On-loan Peterborough United right-back Sam Curtis is in the Ireland Under 21 squad to play European Championship qualifying matches against Norway and Italy.

Ireland are currently second in their group behind Italy, but wins against Norway in Cork on Friday, October 11 and then in Trieste against the leaders on Tuesday, October 15 would see them qualify for the finals for the first time. A win against Norway would guarantee a play-off place.

Curtis, who is on loan at Posh from Sheffield United, has eight Ireland Under 21 caps and scored his first international goal in a 1-0 win in Turkey in the last round of matches.

Curtis will miss the Posh EFL Trophy tie against Stevenage on Tuesday and Saturday’s League One match at home to Rotherham United.

Sam Curtis in action for Posh against Stevenage at the weekend. Photo Joe Dent/theposh.com.

placeholder image — Sam Curtis in action for Posh against Stevenage at the weekend. Photo Joe Dent/theposh.com.

Teenage Posh centre-back George Nevett is on standby for Wales Under 19s who have a training camp in Italy. He is therefore eligible for the next Posh matches. Injury has kept Posh captain Hector Kyprianou out of the senior Cypris squad.