TURKEY versus Bosnia-Herzegovina might not be the international friendly that captures the imagination of many on these shores but Stanley midfielder Dan Barlaser will have a keen eye on proceedings.

The 21-year-old scored his first goal for the Reds in Tuesday night’s Checkatrade Trophy victory over Macclesfield Town and has made seven appearances since joining on loan from Newcastle United.

He has won plenty of plaudits for his performances and is hoping playing regular football with the Reds can keep him in the frame for a potential international call-up by Turkey.

Barlaser has represented the country of his dad’s birth at youth level but has also featured for England Under-18s.

And while he is keeping his options open, he admits it would be impossible to turn down a place should Turkey boss Mircea Lucescu come calling.

He said: “I have Turkish youth caps at 16 and 17 and then I played for England at Under 18s. I have been asked to go back to Turkey for Under-20s but I didn’t go. I am still keeping my options open.

“For England, you have to be a top Premier League player to get in the England team and I don’t want to get ahead of myself.

“At Newcastle not many people really get called up and if Turkey came along it would be stupid not to say yes because you would be playing international football.”

Barlaser believes his youth international experience has helped him mature as a player, having travelled across Europe representing Turkey, having made an immediate impression on the coaching staff.

He added: “Just before I turned 16 I went to a camp in Germany where they had a look at a lot of Turkish players and I scored a hat-trick. So then I got picked straight away.

“I have travelled all over, the first time was when I was 15 and I went to Germany. I have since played in England, France, Russia, Belgium, all over really.

“Especially being a young player, it probably helped me because I was playing against good players and with a lot of people watching so it does help.”