Earnie ready for return

Striker delighted to be back in Wales fold

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 18th August 2008

rob earnshaw wales

Earnshaw: International recall

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Robert Earnshaw is desperate to make an impact on his return from the international wilderness.

The 27-year-old paid the price for an ill-fated spell at Derby when he was dumped out of the Wales squad.

His lack of activity at club level gave national boss John Toshack no option but to overlook the diminutive striker.

However, having sealed a summer move to Nottingham Forest he is back among the goals and looking forward to earning his 40th cap when Wales tackle Georgia at Swansea's Liberty Stadium on Wednesday.

Impossible

"When I was left out of the (Wales) squad I was gutted. I want to be playing for Wales, scoring goals and doing well. I want to make my mark," said Earnshaw.

"But really what happened was caused by what happened at Derby. I was not playing there and there was a knock-on effect.

"The move to Forest has lifted a huge weight from my shoulders. It was made difficult for me at Derby, impossible really.

"I felt I was never going to be allowed to do well. So I needed to move and I have done that.

"I felt I was not going to get a chance. I was left sitting and watching and thinking there must be more than football causing the problem.

"I was trying my best to do well but I knew after the first few months that I needed to move."

Faith

Despite seeing his international ambitions come to a grinding halt during his time at Pride Park, Earnshaw insists he never gave up hope of forcing his way back into Toshack's plans.

"I never thought that Wales would not happen again for me. I felt hard done by and decided just to keep going and hope for a change," he added.

"It was really all about moving club, basically leaving Derby. The last month has been brilliant for me, I have enjoyed my time at Nottingham Forest, a very good club and a very good manager.

"All of a sudden things have changed around in just a few months for me."

Wales have lost Lewis Price, Arron Davies and Brian Stock from the original squad, with Toshack calling up Swansea pair Joe Allen and Matthew Collins, along with Oldham defender Neil Eardley, Sheffield United winger David Cotterill and Chelsea's young keeper Rhys Taylor.