Freddy Eastwood has joined up with Wales praying he does not find himself dumped from the Wolves team by Molineux boss Mick McCarthy when he returns from international duty.
The £1million striker has made a dramatic breakthrough into the Wales ranks this season, winning four caps, but that exposure has caused havoc with his new career in the midlands after a summer move from Southend.
Now Eastwood is preparing in Cardiff with the Wales squad for the Euro 2008 qualifier against the Republic of Ireland at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, and then next week's daunting trip to play Germany in Frankfurt.
But Eastwood does not know whether to laugh or cry over his elevation to international level.
He scored on his debut for Wales in Bulgaria in August, to national boss John Toshack's delight. But former Republic of Ireland boss McCarthy has not been as impressed. To the extent that Eastwood has only just fought his way back into the Wolves side.
The situation between Eastwood and McCarthy was not helped by a remark from Toshack who bemoaned the fact that two Wales strikers - Eastwood and Robert Earnshaw at Derby - had been transferred for £6million the pair and could not get into their respective club sides.
Eastwood said: "I feel I have done well for Wales and that means John Toshack is happy with me. And if I do well for my country then Mick McCarthy will take notice too.
"We had a little chat about what John said last time, about me not playing for Wolves, and I explained to Mick that it did not come out quite the way it was intended, and there really hasn't been an issue over it.
"When I go back this time I know I have to perform the way the Wolves manager wants me to, and then I will be in the side.
"But if Tosh is making remarks like that, that's OK by me because it means he is pleased with me."
But Eastwood knows he has to impress McCarthy, not with his new-found international status, but also his level of form and work rate for his new club to ensure a place in the side.
He said: "I need to go back to my club this time and be really sharp, that is very important. The first time I went back to Wolves after internationals I had scored and the manager (McCarthy) said he was going to rest me because I had played both internationals.
"He said he needed fresh legs, but Wolves went on to lose that game to Sheffield United.
"That was disappointing. And since then I have been in and out of the team, having got back in only recently."
The Essex boy, who qualifies for Wales through his grandfather's birthplace, added: "Now my club manager is pleased with me and hopefully I can bring that form into the internationals, and the Wales manager will be happy with me.
"I just hope that when I go back this time to my club I do not get left out like last time. I need to be nice and sharp and raring to go."
Wales have lost teenager Gareth Bale, who has not recovered from a metatarsal injury, while skipper Craig Bellamy was not even called up because of a recurrence of his hernia problem.
But Wigan's Jason Koumas has joined up with the squad after sickness ruled him out at Tottenham on Sunday, and Toshack is pleasantly surprised by the turn-out at his training camp following his harsh words recently about 'pampered' players and their lack of commitment.
