FINN Cousin-Dawson is continuing to mature as a footballer from his latest international travels for Northern Ireland.

The City teenager is not back from the Irish under-21s until a week on Thursday as they play two more Euro 2021 qualifiers in Russia and Spain.

John Schofield’s side are in action on Friday in Khimki before heading for Seville to take on the Spanish next Tuesday.

Derek Adams believes it will provide more valuable experience for Cousin-Dawson, who got his first brief taste of competitive action when he came on in stoppage time in last month’s win over Slovakia.

Olivier Sukiennicki is also away with Poland under-19s again for their trio of games against Finland tomorrow, Malta and Ukraine.

Adams said: “It’s great for Finn and good for the football club as well that he’s got a call up to the under-21s. He’s got two tough away games to be involved in.

“To get that call-up gives Finn really good experience. He’s been called up at first-team level and now he’s had the recognition from Northern Ireland.

“Olivier is with the Polish under-19s and Abo Eisa would have probably been away with Sudan as well but he’s injured.

“It’s beneficial for the younger players that are at the football club at this moment in time.

“They can see there is a progression with Finn getting into the under-21s with Northern Ireland. The opportunity in the first team is there for them as well.

“Finn has played a number of games this season and last in the first team. That’s good for the younger players in the under-19s and the ones we’ve got around the fringes of the first team as well.”

Cousin-Dawson, who has made six City appearances this term, got his initial chance with Northern Ireland in March when he was invited to a training camp in Belfast.

The defender then featured in another in Scotland over the summer where he saw his first international action in a friendly.

Having been called up for the two opening qualifiers, this latest chance confirms the progress he is making.

“He is training with different players from different clubs and he gets to know them as well,” added Adams.

“Northern Ireland play in a different way to how we do and it gives him that opportunity to learn even further. It’s good for his confidence as well.

“To be fair to Finn, he’s a confident boy anyway. He’s 19 years of age but he’s come into the first-team environment and does want to succeed.”

The north-east native has always been one of the youngest in his age group with a July birthday but settling into digs with City has helped him grow up fast in his manager’s eyes.

“He moved away from home at an early age and has had to move into his own accommodation,” said Adams.

“That certainly speeds up how you get on in life as well and he’s dealt with that very well.

“He trains well with us on a daily basis and when he’s come in and played first-team games this season he’s been very good.”

Cousin-Dawson will return in time to be involved in the next home game against Bristol Rovers. His absence from the bench at Newport this weekend will be covered by the returning injured players.

Charles Vernam and Theo Robinson both played in the Rochdale win and Adams can see the squad numbers starting to level out again.

“We are getting closer as the weeks go on. We had Charles and Theo back on Saturday and they showed no ill-effects, which is really good for us.

“We’re slowly but surely getting the injuries back.”