Swiss experience for Street

Adam Street is returning to club duties at Chadwell Heath after a memorable week with Canada's Under-20 side in Switzerland that included another international cap.

The West Ham United goalkeeper played the full 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw with the Swiss in Berne on Wednesday night. He could do nothing about a spectacular opening goal from the home side but, once parity was restored, proved one of the stars of the show in the second half with some superb stops. It was his second cap at that level after a previous 1-1 draw against Argentina back in May.

Ontario-born Street's involvement in the Swiss training camp meant he missed this week's reserve-team victory against Portsmouth, when the visitors coincidentally had full Canadian international Asmir Begovic in goal. However, the 17-year-old has stepped up his experience with the second string this season and has earned high praise for his progress from Ludek Miklosko.

The young Canadians used their weeklong get-together as preparation for next March's CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Trinidad & Tobago. Street, who could yet emulate Craig Forrest in representing both West Ham United and Canada at senior level, and his international team-mates are aiming to secure one of four qualifying spots for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup finals in Egypt.

Meanwhile, England have already reached the September-October finals and could boast several homegrown Hammers in their ranks, including Jordan Spence, James Tomkins, Junior Stanislas and Freddie Sears. Street also represented the Young Lions at U16 level two years ago before opting to play for Canada. Hungary are also through from the European zone and could line up with Balint Bajner spearheading their attack.