Anthony Stokes is determined to use the Republic of Ireland under-21 clash against England as a starting point to forcing his way back into the senior squad.

The 19-year-old Sunderland forward won three full caps earlier this year but missed an under-21 friendly in August following a mix-up over an injury and is only just back in the squad.

He featured in the under-21s' friendly win over Sweden last Friday and will keep his place when they host England tomorrow evening in a Euro 2009 qualifier in Cork.

England have a 100 per cent record in qualifiers so far and Stokes feels it is an opportunity to prove himself against tough opposition.

"I've got a point to prove to myself and everyone in the Irish set-up to get back into the first team," he said. "That's where I want to be - playing under Steve Staunton. So it's a good chance to impress."

He added: "I'm not playing week-in week-out in the Premier League so I have to prove myself here."

Stokes was also in the headlines after missing the team bus for Sunderland, but boss Don Givens has backed the former Arsenal player to make the headlines for the right reasons.

"He's had his slap on the wrist, as far as he's concerned it's a case of getting on with it," said Givens. "You would hope that he will get himself together and realise that the headlines in the paper should be for one thing. I'm convinced he's a good kid."

Stokes outlined Theo Walcott's threat after playing with him briefly at Arsenal, although the England winger only has a 50/50 chance of being fit after getting a knock against Montenegro last week.

"I spoke to him a few times when I was at Arsenal," Stokes added. "He has electric pace, I saw that a week ago when I went back to Arsenal and he set up their winner. He killed us."

Stokes feels the stage is set for an Irish upset if they impose themselves on the game at Turner's Cross.

"The players have that bit of quality but we have to worry about ourselves," he said. "There is some fine-tuning to do after Sweden but it's a different test now and we're up for the challenge.

"Everybody expects Irish teams to be dogged with fighting spirit but we have to go out and play as well."