Terry Dixon returned to international action with the Republic of Ireland as they went down 2-1 to Armenia in their UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier on Wednesday night.
Dixon was a 62th-minute substitute at the Tallaght Stadium. By that time, the Irish were 2-0 down but the visitors had seen a man sent off. The hosts managed to pull one back with ten minutes to play through Ian Daly, with Dixon providing the assist. However, the loss means Ireland are adrift at the bottom of Group 2 with four draws and two defeats.
The striker had been capped as a 16-year-old back in 2006 - and even made it to the bench for the seniors that year - but has been away from the international fold ever since because of knee problems. He left Tottenham Hotspur in 2008 because of his injury concerns but was given a second chance at West Ham United.
Dixon signed a three-year contract back in February 2009 and has since worked closely with the medical staff at Chadwell Heath. He has recovered to play four times this season for the reserves with one goal. He headed off on international duty in the hope of regaining some of his match fitness.