Sam Magri says only turning in good performances for Dover will help him earn a dream call-up to senior international football with Malta and give him the chance to face England.

The 22-year-old former Portsmouth and QPR defender was born in England and played for the country of his birth all the way through to under-19 level before opting to switch allegiance to the Mediterranean island on account of his Maltese grandfather.

Magri ended his under-21 career on a successful note last week.He starred at centre-back as Malta overcame Latvia 1-0 and then beat Moldova 3-2 to ensure his nation finished fourth in their group with a record points haul for the nation in European Under-21 Championship qualifying.

He said: “It was a really good week. To finish off with two wins which meant we broke the record with 11 points in the qualifying campaign was great.”

He added: “I have learned a lot from it. I have played at centre-half there whereas I’m right-back at Dover. It’s a good learning curve and it’s only good for your development when you’re playing against quality players.”

After turning 22 in March, Magri is no longer eligible for the under-21s but has his sights set on a senior call-up.

Malta have a World Cup qualifier against Slovenia on November 11 and a home friendly with Euro 2016 giant-killers Iceland four days later, but Magri said: “I have no idea what will happen but anyone who plays football would and should dream of playing international football. Hopefully I’ll get the chance to do it.”

After the 2-0 qualifying defeat at Wembley earlier this month, England’s return fixture in Valletta will be played next September, three days before a trip to Scotland in the same group.

Magri admitted: “To be involved in the England game would be unbelievable. Just unreal. It is a long time away and I’d probably have to be picked a few times before then. Hopefully I can play well for Dover and get myself into a position where I am selected.”

Looking ahead to Dover’s Vanarama National League home game against Braintree on Saturday, Magri said: “If you look at the league and some of the results, everyone is capable of beating or losing to everyone else. We have got a quality squad and hopefully we can be up there again this season.”