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West Ham youngster Josh Briggs has admitted it will be “difficult” for him and Northern Ireland during this summer’s U19 European Championships.

The 18-year-old is set to captain his national side in this summer’s tournament under Gareth McAuley where they will face Ukraine, Italy and Norway in only their second appearance in the competition.

This summer’s tournament will be hosted in Northern Ireland and while Briggs still believes his side are “underdogs” he is aiming to finish the summer with no regrets.

As quoted by the West Ham website on Sunday (14 July) he said: “We know we’re in a tough group and it’s going to be difficult, but none of us can wait to get going.

“No matter what happens, we’re going to go out there and do our best. It’s always a special feeling playing for your country, and it’ll be an honour and a special moment to do that at a European Championship

“We know we’re one of the underdogs going into it, but the manager gives us loads of advice, and has just told us to believe in ourselves and don’t have any regrets.

“I’ll look to make my own impact on the pitch. It was amazing to wear the captain’s armband for the U18s, and though off the pitch I can be a bit shy, on the pitch I feel like I’m a natural leader. Hopefully I can continue that.”

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Briggs may still be a way away from breaking into Julen Lopetegui’s first team at the London Stadium, but the experience of playing in a tournament this summer will only help the youngster for the rest of his career.

Having signed a professional contract in East London earlier this year, it is clear that the Irons rate the 18-year-old highly and they will be keen to see him break into the first-team fold sooner rather than later.

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Briggs featured three times off of the bench for the Hammers’ U21 last term and if he can replicate his excellent form on the international stage, Northern Ireland will have an excellent chance of progressing on home soil.

He won’t be the only West Ham representative on the international stage for Northern Ireland over the coming years as the likes of Callum Marshall, Michael Forbes and Patrick Kelly are all impressing in East London.

In other West Ham news, an update has emerged around Lucas Paqueta’s future amid recent links with a move to Flamengo this summer

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