Alan Mannus has played almost 300 games for Linfield

The 25-year-old earned his second Northern Ireland cap after coming on as a substitute against Bulgaria at Windsor Park earlier this month.

But Mannus knows full well that full-time football cross-channel would boost his international chances.

"I would love to give it a go, playing across the water," Mannus told the BBC.

"For somebody in the Irish League, if they want to push for a place in the Northern Ireland squad, they have to be playing full-time football in England or Scotland.

"If the opportunity comes up, I would definitely like to have a go.

"But for the time being, I have to stay focused on what I'm doing (at Linfield).

"I've got another year left on my contract so I'm going to be here another while anyway. We'll see what happens."

Linfield boss David Jeffrey has made clear that he would not stand in Mannus' way if the right offer came from a cross-channel club.

"If the opportunity came along, given the longevity of goalkeeping life, maybe he might get a chance across the water," said the Blues manager.

"In terms of talent and ability, there's not a better goalkeeper in Ireland without any shadow of a doubt. He is just a superb, superb goalkeeper.

"As a person, he's a man of character and integrity. He is the ultimate professional and his influence in the dressing-room is absolutely immense and yet he is such a quiet individual.

"He's also a very humble man who never sings his own praises.

"His 300th game for Linfield is coming up. The worst he can do is to go on and become a Linfield legend."