Danny Gabbidon said his improved fitness record is the major reason for coming out of international retirement for new Wales manager Gary Speed.
West Ham United's 31-year-old defender has been a member of all but three of the club's 24 Barclays Premier League squads this season - a far cry from the previous three campaigns, when he totalled just 20 league appearances due to a succession of injuries.
Gabbidon's fitness issues led to the Cwmbran-born player to retire from international football in October last year.
However, following a long injury-free stint and a persuasive phone call or two from Speed, the popular Hammer has decided to pull on the Dragons' shirt again.
Gabbidon could earn his 44th senior cap in his country's opening Nations Cup clash against new club-mate Robbie Keane's Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Tuesday 8 February.
"It's nice to be back involved. This season has gone a lot better for me - I've managed to play a lot of games and proved my fitness to myself and that's why I've made the decision to come back.
"It made it a lot easier to come back after I got so many games under my belt and proved myself that I can still play at the highest level. That's the main reason I've decided to come back.
"When someone like Gary Speed rings you up, who is a respected man and someone I've played alongside for Wales and is a really good guy, it boosts your confidence too."
Gabbidon could line up alongside former Hammers team-mate and close friend James Collins at the heart of the Welsh defence against the Irish, while the likes of Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey, Celtic midfielder Joe Ledley and Nottingham Forest full-back Chris Gunter have also been included.
Unfortunately for Wales, Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale and former Hammer Craig Bellamy have both been left out through injury.
"We've got some really exciting players coming through - everyone can see that - and now hopefully we'll get the management side of things together and it will give us that extra push that I think we need.
"We're not that far off being a good team. The players are there and I think now we've got a really good manager in place, we can push on and get some better results."
Looking past their Aviva Stadium date with Keane's Ireland, Wales host England in a 2012 UEFA European Championship qualifier at the Millennium Stadium in March, while the reverse fixture will take place at Wembley in September.
"It's a big game. We've got a lot of big games coming up with this Nations Cup tournament and obviously the England game and other games after that.
"I am happy that I can contribute and be a part of it."