Grant: Move Helped Me

Grant McCann believes that his move to Cheltenham on loan has helped him get back into the Northern Ireland squad - but admits he doesn't know if he will make it at West Ham.

Grant, who had a trial game preseason for first division Grimsby with a view to a possible loan move there, has returned to the club that he has already had an extended spell with in order to get more competitive experience.

"I had been playing and training with the reserves," he says, "but I went and asked the gaffer if I could go out on loan and he said 'okay.'

"I don't know what happened with Grimsby in the end and it was a disappointment not to go there because I would have liked to play in division one.

"But they are a good bunch at Cheltenham and I am getting more experience there.

"I had missed out on the Northern Ireland squad because I wasn't playing but now that I am again I have just been selected for the squad to face Spain."

Northern Ireland then face Ukraine in Belfast on Wednesday leaving Grant with the possibility, at least, of getting more international action than domestic action by the end of next week.

Glenn says of his reasoning in letting move to Cheltenham:

"He needs first team games."

But Grant candidly admits he doesn't know if the loan move will be a springboard to restoring his place in the first team squad.

With Don Hutchison likely to be playing again in a month or so, competition for a place will be even hotter in midfield; nonetheless, Glenn is reluctant to do other than take things month by month in case his services are required if injuries strike.

"I am looking forward to this month," he says, "and I am just taking it one month at a time.

"I would like to get in the first team at West Ham but I am not too sure if it will happen - that is up to Glenn.

"In the meantime I will just see how it goes."