For most professional footballers it is their dream to represent their national team. Watford striker Odion Ighalo is no different.

The Nigerian striker is currently enjoying life with the Golden Boys. The 25-year-old has established himself in Watford’s starting XI and is the Championship’s in-form striker.

He has netted 12 goals in eight league games and has led the Hornets’ automatic promotion bid in recent weeks. Ighalo has represented Nigeria at Under-20 level but hopes his current form will lead to a call-up to the full squad.

“I have not played for Nigeria’s first team but it is something I am hoping to do,” he said last month. “It is every footballer’s dream to play for their national team and it is the same for me.

“It is something I am looking forward to achieving one day. If I am called-up for the next game then I will go. If not, I will continue to work harder to get in the squad.”

Nigeria’s next two international matches take place next month. The Super Eagles host Bolivia on March 26 and face Ghana three days later in London.

However, Nigeria are currently without a manager. The Nigerian Football Federation claim Stephen Keshi remains in charge but he does not have a contract and is on the shortlist for the vacant Burkina Faso role.

Ighalo admits the current coaching situation is “difficult” but hopes his impressive form is being noticed in his home country.

He said: “I just hope somebody there is watching the Championship, I know they watch the Premier League there. If I continue to do well, then if I get that call-up then I am ready to go and represent my country.”

Ighalo started his career in his native Nigeria with Prime and then Julius Berger. But he left his home country at the age of 18 and joined Norwegian club Lyn.

He spent one season with the Oslo-based side before switching to Udinese in 2008. From 2009 he then spent almost five years on loan at another Pozzo-owned club, Granada, and helped El Graná rise from the third tier of Spanish football to La Liga.

He joined he Hornets in the summer. Initially it was a loan deal but his stay was made permanent at the end of October.