Potter delighted with step up in class

World Youth Championship: He could have played for England, but in the end Darren Potter opted to declare for the country of his grandparents' birth, after Liverpool scout Frank McPartland alerted Brian Kerr to the midfielder's eligibility two years ago.

"The biggest and best decision I ever made in my life," he said, "going out for the first game in the Irish colours was really, truly unbelievable.

"I spoke to mum and dad back at home and they know what I'm like - before games I'm normally very relaxed, nothing really gets to me - but I told them the nerves really, really got to me, I didn't know what had hit me. Standing there, the crowd, the cameras, the noise, really nerve-wracking. Amazing experience.

"I think it's good for people like me and David (Bell, Potter's room-mate and the only other English-born player in the squad) to get in to the Irish team through our grandparents. Mine are still living in Liverpool, it's brilliant for them, they're truly made up for me, very proud."

As coincidence would have it, Potter bumped into McPartland when the Irish squad went shopping in Dubai on Wednesday evening. The scout, accompanied by Liverpool reserve team coach Alex Miller, was with the England squad, also out shopping.

"Had a quick word with Frank and Alex, they're made up for us so far."

England, for whom Potter's Liverpool reserves team-mate John Welsh plays, must beat Colombia today and hope other results go their way if they are to make the next round. Contrasting moods in the camps, then.

"It's been tough for the English boys, it just hasn't gone their way, whereas we're so close now. We're not going to take Mexico lightly but we fancy our chances, we've looked at videos of them and there are weaknesses to be exploited."

Potter, released by Everton as a 15-year-old before being given a second chance at Liverpool, has made Gerard Houllier's first team squad this season, but is mindful of how difficult it will be to make the breakthrough.

"It's hard, because there are a lot of players there who've been bought for millions and millions of pounds, so for the likes of myself it's very tough breaking in to the first team. I made it on to the bench once (for a UEFA Cup game this season), so I've just got to keep my head down, keep working and see how it goes from there. I've two years left on my contract, so I have a bit of time."

For now, though, his only thoughts are for today's game against Mexico. Gut feeling? "An Irish victory, of course, nothing less."

You've never scored for Ireland?

"No, I suppose Mexico would be a good time to start," he smiled.