He is Ireland's most gifted young cricketer and his Middlesex stablemate, Ed Joyce, swears that he will emulate his own achievement of playing for England. Now to start proving it.

Eoin Morgan has embarked on the most important summer of his career as the county circuit creaks back into motion. A pre-season friendly versus Essex over two days at Chelmsford last week was not quite the Lord's Test but it was a massive deal for Morgan, desperate to earn his first prolonged run in the team, because he was picked to bat at No 4. He made just 24 but this was only the start of what should be an intriguing five months for anyone who has followed his career thus far.

By general consensus, the former Catholic University School pupil is on a celestial path to the top of the game. But many who are touted so much so young lose their way, and the 21-year-old is in the last year of his first senior contract with Middlesex and can't afford to have a sticky year.

Talking to Sportsmail ahead of his seasonal bow, the Dubliner said he realised what was at stake and was looking forward to proving he can perform under pressure.

'I have only got one year left on my current contract so it's going to be a huge year in terms of succeeding here and getting another contract,' said the Ireland No 3.

'Obviously, the goal in 2008 is to stay in the side and have a successful year. I was in the team at the tail-end of last year and achieved my goals in one-day cricket. I was happy to get a few opportunities in the county championship and felt I took them, and this year I want to pile on the runs.

'I averaged 35 in five games in the championship last year and I was quite happy with the opportunities I got and how I took them. This year it's a matter of getting big scores and letting everyone know what I can do.'

Four-day cricket is the nut Morgan has to crack. Ironically, it is where he has been most prosperous for Ireland, hitting huge hundreds in the Intercontinental Cup. By contrast, in the one-day game - certainly at last year's World Cup - he has not been as prolific as he has been for Middlesex. But there is no doubting the sheen of his strokeplay.

'I think Eoin Morgan is hugely talented, certainly the best talent I have seen come out of Ireland and one of the most talented players in England,' said Joyce.

'Some of the innings he had in one-day cricket last summer, people were saying "wow, where has this guy come from?"

'It will be difficult to break into a pretty settled four-day middle order but he will certainly play in the one-day and Twenty20 games and that is three-quarters of the season. He has to be patient for another year or two. He knows he is good enough and so do Middlesex. I think in not too long he will be knocking on the door of England. That would be a pity for Ireland but he is a special talent.'

Irish fans might be restricted to one or two glimpses by the flame-haired Morgan in green this summer. ODIs against New Zealand, Scotland and the Netherlands and the World Twenty20 qualifiers in Belfast might be the most time he can spend away from his Lord's-based paymasters if he is not to fall out of favour.

Perhaps, though, there is little chance of that occurring in any case - Middlesex's new coach is Toby Radford, who has ushered Morgan through the system.

'I have worked with Toby since I was 14 or 15. He works hard as a coach and we work well together,' said Morgan, the former Ireland Under 19 captain.

'He has spoken to me about last year and how it went, and he knows what I can do and he wants me to prove it now to everyone else. I know how much he wants me to succeed. The majority of my cricket with Ireland will be one-day internationals, I can't see myself being available for the rest of the games. I don't think it will be a problem because I know the coach here at Middlesex and the chief executive want me to continue being involved in Irish cricket. But this is my livelihood and I have to focus on my Middlesex career for now.'

County fans hardy enough to brave the April weather are likely to be witness to the sharp end of that focus in the coming weeks.