Proud Welshman Jack Collison has admitted West Ham United club-mates James Collins and Danny Gabbidon would never have forgiven him had he switched international allegiance to England.
Unfounded rumours recently surfaced suggesting the midfielder, who has yet to play a competitive international for Wales, may choose to represent the country of his birth instead. The young Hammer was born in Watford and qualifies to represent his adopted nation through his grandfather, former Wales rugby union captain John Gwilliam
However, the midfielder is planning to dismiss the speculation once and for all by lining up for Wales in their FIFA 2010 World Cup Group 4 qualifier against Azerbaijan in Baku on 6 June.
Before then the 20-year-old, who has made seven Under-21 and four senior friendly international appearances for John Toshack's side, is expected to be in the starting eleven when Wales take on Estonia in a friendly in Llanelli on Friday evening.
"There was nothing in suggestions that I could decide to play for England, certainly not from me," he said.
"Next weekend I can put an end to all that speculation by pulling on a red shirt and playing for Wales in my first competitive international. Then it will be over, I will have made it clear who I want to play for.
"There's such a big Welsh contingent at West Ham, if I'd done something like change my mind, I wouldn't have dared go in for training!
"There has never been any doubt in my mind, I have enjoyed being with Wales and I have been proud to play for the country of my grandfather."
Another player delighted to be part of Toshack's squad is Gabbidon. The 29-year-old has recently battled back from 18 months out with a complicated abdominal problem, returning to full training with the Hammers a week ago.
This week, to aid his return to match-fitness, Gianfranco Zola allowed Gabbidon to join up with Toshack's squad, a move welcomed by club colleague Collison.
"It's great to see Danny back from injury after all this time," said Collison. "It's a massive boost for everyone in the Wales squad, and for West Ham, too.
"He's here training with us. He has had a terrible time, and people who know him are aware that he has been very strong throughout and worked really hard to get back.
"Being at West Ham I have seen it at first hand how hard he has had to work. But he will be a stronger person for it. He's been out on the training pitch with us, with the rain pouring down, and he's loved it. You can't get the smile off his face.
"He's glad to be back and it will be a boost for club and country. He's missed a lot but people should not forget that in his first full season for West Ham he won the player-of-the-year trophy, so everyone knows what he can do.
"He brings quality to any team. He needs a full pre-season under his belt and then he will become a major player again for Wales and West Ham."
West Ham supporters who would like to cheer on Collison and his team-mates in the first international played at Parc y Scarlets can buy tickets by calling 0871 871 8088. Tickets are priced at £10 adults and £5 under-16s (plus booking fee). Kick-off is at 7.30pm.