Andrew Omobamidele is relishing the prospect of testing himself against one of the world's best as he prepares to face France on Monday. 

The Norwich City defender has been recalled to the Republic of Ireland squad for the first time since 2021 owing to injury and played 63 minutes in their midweek friendly against Latvia. 

But on Monday he faces a much sterner test against World Cup runners-up France, with the Norwich man tasked with halting their array of attacking talent. 

The Pink Un: Kylian MbappeKylian Mbappe (Image: PA Images)

Perhaps the most eye-catching name for Les Bleus is Paris Saint Germain forward and captain Kylian Mbappe - but defending against that level of opponent is something that Omobamidele relishes. 

“It’s the ultimate test, really, to see where you are as a player and as a team, because obviously we know France are a good nation," he said. "So it will be a good test for us. The boys will be up for it.

“I’d be happy (to mark him). I’d embrace it. After the game, you are walking off knowing where you are as a player because that is the ultimate test for any defender in the world.

“I think everyone agrees that he is a good player, he is quick, and I’d like to think I’m quick as well, so I’d love to do a foot race or something like that, see how quick I am!

“We do it off metres-per-second. I think the quickest I’ve run is 10.4m-per-second, which is quick. I don’t know what Mbappe’s is, but we’ll see."

The Pink Un: Andrew Omobamidele came up against the best in the Premier League last season. Andrew Omobamidele came up against the best in the Premier League last season. (Image: PA Images)

Injury robbed the 20-year-old of competing regularly for Norwich at Premier League level last season, but he believes experiences that pitted him against the likes of Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo will be useful ahead of Monday's game. 

“At the start I kinda got thrown into it, my debut, even in the Premier League when I played a couple of games there, like what I said it was more when I come up against these players that's what I want to do," City's defender said.

"I play against these players week in week out in my career, to potentially play against the French national team, in every position they have world class players, it would be a blessing."