Euro 2016 inclusion would 'top off a great season' for Ward

Burnley defender Stephen Ward is hoping to secure his place in the Republic of Ireland squad for Euro 2016 in order to "top off a great season".

Ward clinched promotion to the Premier League as part of Sean Dyche's Championship-winning team and the 30-year-old is hoping to have done enough to ensure that Martin O'Neill includes him in his final 23-man party for France.

"I'm very happy. Obviously it was frustrating in the first part of the year, I didn't play a lot, but once I got in [to the team] it was great," Ward told reporters. 

"I think the run we went on was outstanding and I don't think your season gets any better than when you win the league. It was good and it was nice to play a part in it.

"It's nice [to be back in the Premier League] and hopefully I can get into that 23 to top off a great season."

The Boys in Green play one final warm-up game ahead of the tournament against Belarus at Turner's Cross and O'Neill will announce his squad after the game, just in time for the 23:00 deadline.

Ward did not feature in last Friday's 1-1 draw against the Netherlands, but will be looking to play a part on Tuesday evening in Cork, with competition for places heating up.

"I think there's a fight [for positions] everywhere. We've got a lot of players who can play in different positions, so it's down to the manager at the end of the day," added the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man.

"The thing about the squad is that we've got a great team spirit and whatever 23 goes, the lads will be supporting them."