Zavon Hines has been called up by Jamaica for their friendly against Nigeria to be played at Millwall on Wednesday night
The 20-year-old striker, who scored on his one and only appearance for the first team in last September's 4-1 defeat of Macclesfield Town, has just battled back to fitness from a knee injury. He played in the most recent reserve-team outing against Fulham on 20 January and has been training with the first team.
Hines, who scored five goals in a terrific pre-season last summer, is relishing the opportunity to play at international level - although he cannot dream of the 2010 World Cup as Jamaica have already been eliminated. He said: "I am really pleased. It is great to be given a chance and I am looking forward to showing what I can do.
"It was great in pre-season for me, but then it was a bit frustrating, as I got injured. I have worked hard and now this is like a reward, I am very excited."
Hines, who was born on the Caribbean island but grew up in east London, explained that he had not been thinking about a Reggae Boyz call-up before he took the call from former Liverpool and England star John Barnes. "I still have family out there but playing for Jamaica has not been on my mind. I have just been concentrating on getting fit again.
"The manager [of Jamaica] called me up after training yesterday and told me. I felt really good and now I want to use the experience and push on now. It's been good to be training again and I am happy to be back playing. I just want to show what I can do and play my best."