Jamie Donley hoping striker role for Northern Ireland can boost his development

Donley sees his best position as being number 10, but in starting the last seven matches for his country he has regularly been deployed as the most advanced forward in Michael O’Neill’s system.

“(The manager) gives me a lot of confidence,” Donley told the Press Association. “He has trust in me. Obviously I’m playing striker, which is not a natural position for me, but I’ve got a couple of goals and (in this window) I’d like to think I could score a couple more.”

Donley’s first international goal came from the penalty spot last November in the 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Luxembourg, and he doubled his tally in March in the 1-1 friendly draw with Wales in Cardiff.

Donley played up front when coming through Tottenham’s academy but it has been an adjustment to take on the role at international level.

“(O’Neill) speaks to me about what he wants and I guess it’s not that much different to playing as a number 10,” Donley added.

“Obviously you’re the highest player, so you’re always going to have your back to goal, but I think I link up quite well and hopefully if I get some chances I can put them away…

“I think even as a number 10 I’d have myself as a really good finisher. If it’s a good chance I like to think I can put it away.”

Donley had a frustrating start to last season as he struggled for playing time on loan at Stoke, swapping the Potteries for Oxford in January but suffering an early injury before he got a run of games.

Donley featured five times in Spurs’ pre-season campaign and received plenty of positive feedback from Roberto De Zerbi before heading out on loan again.

“When I came in for pre-season I spoke to (De Zerbi) a little bit and he said that he liked me, and I went out to Australia and played quite a lot,” Donley said.

“Then a few of the lads came back from the World Cup and so then I was kind of pushed away a little bit. Towards the end of the window, I had a clear idea of what I was going to be doing…

“It’s difficult because there’s so many players and they’re signing £100million players. I’m not arrogant enough to think I’m going to be playing over them.

“They don’t really give you a pathway. It’s about getting minutes. I’m still young so it’s about doing well and going back next year and showing progress.”