Exeter City's Jamie Reid given Northern Ireland call-up

Exeter City youngster Jamie Reid hopes his call-up to the Northern Ireland Under 21 set-up will help take his career to a new level.

The 18-year-old, who made his Exeter debut earlier this season, has been invited to the squad's training camp next week ahead of their match with Cyprus at the end of the month.

"It'll improve me as a player, playing with better players," he said.

"Hopefully I'll go there, do well and go back to Exeter and really kick on."

Reid scored two goals on his full Exeter debut against AFC Wimbledon last month and made four appearances in all for the Grecians.

He qualifies for Northern Ireland by virtue of his grandmother, who was born in Belfast, but his journey to international football has been a bumpy one.

He joined Torquay United's youth scheme as a child, but when their academy was closed in 2005, he was left without a club.

However, after a spell with Plymouth Argyle, he joined Exeter's Under-14 side and is now highly thought of at St James Park.

"When I first signed as a pro I didn't think any of this would happen," Reid told BBC South West Sport.

"I'll be playing with international players and that will do me the world of good.

"But I've got to go back to Exeter in pre-season and work hard and hopefully get in the squad on matchdays and come on and score some goals."