EDDIE Howe insisted Mark Travers's sharp rise from Southern League South to the Republic of Ireland senior squad highlighted "the beauty of football".

Cherries' goalkeeper Travers this week joined up with rest of Mick McCarthy's squad for European Championship qualifiers against Gibraltar and Georgia.

He could tomorrow make his senior debut for the Boys In Green against Gibraltar at Victoria Stadium (5pm).

Last season, the former Shamrock Rovers youngster plied his trade on loan at Weymouth before signing a new contract at Vitality Stadium in July 2018.

Travers is yet to make his Cherries debut but this campaign he has travelled with Howe's squad to away fixtures and impressed for Shaun Cooper's under-21s.

Asked about his swift journey from step three of the non-league pyramid to an international squad, Howe told the Daily Echo: "That is the beauty of football and how things can change very quickly if you show a good attitude, which he has.

"He has travelled to every away game this season. He has been third in line to play. He has been impeccable in terms of his demeanour and attitude in those moments.

"He has learned a lot from the experiences of the stadiums he has gone to, which will stand him in good stead for the rest of his career."

The 19-year-old joined the Dorset club in 2016 after a successful trial.

Travers started working with Cherries’ under-21 squad before being drafted into the first-team fold to work as an understudy to Asmir Begovic and Artur Boruc.

He has been in the Republic of Ireland set-up since under-15 level and is joined in McCarthy's squad by experienced stoppers Darren Randolph and Kieren Westwood.

Discussing further the stopper's senior call-up for Ireland, Howe said: "It is great news for him and his family.

"Mark is such a level-headed and down to earth guy that it is probably something that will really help him and his game, with the recognition and boost to his confidence.

"He has every attribute as a goalkeeper and everything he needs.

"He is still very young. He has limited experience away from the club in terms of games but in training he has improved. He has learned off Asmir and Artur, which has been a great thing for him. I think he has a great chance."

Quizzed on how much the youngster could pick up from team-mates Begovic and Boruc, Howe said: "A huge amount. To tap into their experiences, the clubs they have played for throughout their careers, the levels they have played at, you have international experience from both players.

"Mark is very much like a sponge. He wants to know, he wants to pick people's brains. As long as he continues with that same mentality, he has a really good opportunity."

During his loan spell at Weymouth, Travers hit the headlines when he scored the winning goal during their 3-2 victory at Bishop’s Stortford.