Everton midfielder Darron Gibson has admitted that it is "now or never" for him to prove himself for club an country.
The 26-year-old has just recently returned from a cruciate ligament injury sustained during the Republic of Ireland's 3-1 victory over Kazakhstan in October 2013.
Gibson told the Liverpool Echo: "Being out for 10 months last season gave me a lot of time to think about things, and I think this is now or never, really, to be honest with you, so I am looking forward to the task ahead.
"It just made me realise that I'm not getting any younger. I need to start playing games and I need to start doing well for myself. It's a big opportunity for me."
Gibson played 70 minutes in the Republic of Ireland's 2-0 friendly win against Oman on Wednesday.