SouthamptonΒ goalkeeper Alex McCarthy had to be informed by a press officer that he was part of the England national team for the upcoming international break after missing out on a phone call from manager Gareth Southgate during an interview.
The 28-year-old was tied up in media duties with theΒ MirrorΒ when the club's press officer interrupted the interview to inform McCarthy of the good news - a first national team call-up since 2016.
"I did leave my phone downstairs - I might have a few missed calls!" McCarthy joked. "Gareth Southgate has probably called me and thinks Iβve blanked his calls!"
McCarthy has only ever been part of the EnglandΒ squad three times, but the formerΒ Crystal PalaceΒ andΒ ReadingΒ goalkeeper has been left as an unused substitute on each occasion, against Ireland and Brazil back in 2013, while most recently against Slovakia.
Delighted to have been called up to the England squad ο¦ thanks for all your messages ο
READ ALSO: Subaru Celebrates 50 Years Of Boxer Enginesβ Alex McCarthy (@Alex_Macca23) August 30, 2018
"To play for your country is the best feeling in the world. This means so much to me. Growing up all I wanted to do was to play for England," he continued as the realisationΒ McCarthy would represent his county set in.
"Itβs so nice to get the recognition and getting a call-up to the squad because theyβve had such a great summer at the World Cup and itβs just nice to be part of it going forward.
"Now Iβm playing week-in and week-out, my next target has to be to try and get a chance because if I did get the chance to play then I know I will be ready and make the most of it."
McCarthy was given the nod in Southampton's last Premier League game before the two-week international break, where the Saints were looking to win their first game of the new season at Selhurst Park.