Josh Magennis: 'If I was to suffer a career ending injury in a Northern Ireland jersey I would have no regrets' as free agent aims to impress against Spain and Andorra

The 33-year-old has been called-up for the upcoming friendlies against Spain on Saturday and Andorra three days later (June 11).

Magennis accepts that whilst the pool of players at Michael O'Neill's disposal isn't as big as other countries, he stressed that he wants to fully merit being involved and how much pride he takes from representing his country.

"It stems from the type of mentality you have. For me it goes back to when I changed from being a goalkeeper to a striker, the mortality was stick or bust really," he said when asked about what playing for Northern Ireland means to him.

Northern Ireland striker Josh Magennis is looking forward to the games against Spain and Andorra

"Are you going to let adversity overcome you or are you just going to keep going?

"I always go back to what Big G (Gareth McAuley) told me. He said if you're in hell you've just gotta keep digging until you come out the other side. That's always been the case for me.

"People who don't play for Northern Ireland always think because of the pool of players we have, if you play professional football you will play for Northern Ireland.

"I didn't want that to be the case so I come into every camp as if it's my first. In my mind I need to do everything I can to play first and foremost, earn the respect of my team-mates and try my best in games.

"I was still nervous about whether or not I was going to get called up to the squad for the friendlies against Spain and Andorra, I was waiting on my letter coming through.

"That's what keeps me hungry. The day you think you've made it that's the day you're done with football basically, if you're standing still you're not moving forward.

"I've always had that approach and I've had some tough people behind me like Gareth McAuley, Chris Brunt, Steven Davis and Stuart Dallas, and we've always been honest with each other.

"I just love football, it's a crazy industry and you have to make the most of it when you're in it."

Magennis has been capped 78 times by Northern Ireland and is seen as one of the elder statesmen in O'Neill's squad.

However, he explained how the emergence of young exciting talent like Conor Bradley, Isaac Price and Shea Charles has given him a new lease of life.

Northern Ireland put in two credible performances in the last international break back in March as they drew with Romania and beat Scotland, with Magennis alluding to the confidence in the camp.

"When you reach 30 and above people think you're an antique and you go on the shelf. With sports science and as long as you respect your body and touch wood you have no serious injuries that's not the case,” he added.

"With the experiences I've had with Northern Ireland from when I first came in, when Michael came in, to the Euros through everything really it's up to you, you have to take that responsibility to first and foremost lead by example because you're a senior pro.

"The youngsters coming in for the first time don't really know what it looks like to be around a senior squad so it's up to the experienced players to set the standard.

"We've tried to do that to the best of our ability and I think Michael appreciates that. He likes his dressing room run and policed itself so he can just worry about football and tactics.

"I enjoy that responsibility, I had it last season at Wigan being captain. It happened to me when I first came into the NI squad, the likes of Chris Baird, Roy Carroll, if you weren't at it you were getting told.

"It's not about trying to demean anyone, it's about trying to keep standards going, trying to progress and push through.

"It was never a case of how Northern Ireland were going to go forward, it was when was the next crop of players going to come through.

"I think that's what we're seeing. For me seeing the likes of Conor playing, Brodie Spence playing, Shea playing and now Pierce (Charles) has come into the squad it brings a new sense of energy and a new dynamic.

"We were used to the same players coming into the camp for so long, you knew what you were going to talk about before you got into the squad.

"Now it's a different array of personalities and football has moved on from where we were.

"They have all been brilliant, as much as they are looking at me to set the standards, I'm learning from them. I love their energy, their naivety and we just have a really good time, we're looking forward to this trip to Spain now.”

The fixtures will give ex-Hull City ace Magennis the chance to put himself in the shop window as he’s currently a free agent after being released by Wigan Athletic at the end of the season.

Magennis stated that he would never pass on the chance to be called-up despite the risk of injury potentially scuppering his next move.

He commented: "Obviously if you get injured when you're a free agent that's the end of it. For me though, and this might sound corny and hopefully it doesn't happen, but if I was to suffer a career ending injury in a Northern Ireland jersey I would have no regrets.

"I could be on the plane home on the phone to my Mrs saying 'Darling my career's over but I did it playing for my country so I can sleep easy'.

"I've had a great career, I'm a free agent now, so if anything was to happen I've done it representing my country.”