Keiren Westwood’s string of impressive recent performances may have sparked talk of international recognition, but the highly-rated goalkeeper will be more than happy with a spell out of the limelight this evening if it helps Carlisle United’s ambitions of promotion to the Coca-Cola Championship.

Westwood was at his best when helping his team to secure a 2-1 win in the first leg of their League One play-offs semi-final against Leeds United at Elland Road on Monday and the return at Brunton Park this evening promises to be just as lively for the goalkeeper.

Yet to nail his international football colours to the mast, Irish lineage means the Manchester-born 23-year-old is considering pitching his lot in with Ireland in an effort to catch the eye of Giovanni Trapattoni, the new manager, in the coming months. Such a task would be easier is he were performing regularly in the second rather than third tier of English football.

“Playing for the Republic is something I’d definitely consider,” Westwood, who has been named in this season’s Professional Footballers’ Association League One team of the year, said. “I’m not Irish as such, but I’m a Catholic boy and it’s in my blood through my dad’s mum. I’m only a League One goalkeeper and it would help my chances by moving up to the Championship.”

A sell-out 16,600 crowd is expected at Brunton Park this evening when Carlisle aim to continue the impressive form that has brought them 17 victories from 23 home league matches this season, including a 3-1 win over Leeds in November, to help them to secure a place in the Wembley final against either Doncaster Rovers or Southend United this month.

David Raven, the defender, is available after suspension, but his replacement, Paul Arnison, also stood out in Monday’s first leg. “I’d be gutted to miss out,” Arnison, who is expected to leave the club in the summer, said. “But the gaffer knows I won’t sulk about it.”

Carlisle (probable; 4-4-1-1) K Westwood — P Arnison, D Livesey, P Murphy, E Horwood — S Dobie, C Lumsdon, G Smith, S Hackney — M Bridge-Wilkinson — D Graham.

Leeds United (probable; 4-4-2): C Ankergren — F Richardson, L Michalik, P Huntington, B Johnson — N Kilkenny, J Douglas, J Howson, D Prutton — D Freedman, J Beckford.

Referee: A Wiley.

Television: Live on Sky Sports 1 from 7.30pm (kick-off 7.45pm).