Dominic Solanke was in a reflective mood at the press conference ahead of England’s Nations League match against Greece on Thursday. (More Football News)
The 27-year-old picked up his only England cap seven years ago, coming off the bench as a 75th-minute substituꦑte in a goalless draw with B🃏razil in a friendly at Wembley.
But, with captain Harry Kane an injury doubt for the Greece fixture, Solanke could be about to double his tal🤡ly of England appearances after his international recall by inte꧅rim manager Lee Carsley.
The significance of returning to the national team was not lost on the♓ Tottenham striker, who even spent two years in the Championship with Bournemouth during his international exile.
“It means so much, I’ve worked very hard ⛦to get back to this moment,” he said.
“Obviously, I made my d♍ebut a long time ago now. It’s been quite a journey, but to ꦚget back here is a great feeling for me and the family.
“It’s just part of footb✱all. Everything happens at the right time ❀for you. Everyone’s journey is different.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way. I feel like this is the way it had to be for me and I feel like my game is clicking now a💙nd I feel good i♌n myself.”
Having had to w𒁏ait so long to be back in England contention, it would have bee🦹n understandable to lose hope, but Solanke explained that he always kept faith in his ability.
“[I had to] just keep plꦜaying well ♒and scoring goals and I always believed that I would get back here,” he added.
“That was my mindset. I'm thankful to be back here now, and hopefully I c🀅an stay herಞe.
“It was definitely something I was pushಞing f🍷or, but there's so many good players that could represent England
“It's a dream to pla🤪y for your country, so when you don't get selected, it definitely motivates you to work even harder to make the next ♕one.”
While talking about his drive to ea🌊rn a Three Lions recall, Solanke also revealed that he has kept hold of the shirt he made⛎ his England debut in.
He said: “I think over the years, when I do see it, I've always thought 'When I get back💝 there and win m﷽ore caps for my country.’
“Having something like that꧟ on the wall is definitely extra motivation.”
Solan🎃ke is in form, with two goals in his la🥀st three Premier League appearances.
But he acknowledged that the journey to ge🤪t to where he is now was one that required mental fortitude.
“The mental side of football is just as big thesℱe days, because there's so many ups and downs, a lot going on, on and off the pitch,” he said.
“So it's important to stay focused 🔴and believe in yourself and keep workin💛g hard.
“Everyone's journey is different. Some people have a smooth-sailing career and some not as smooth. It'꧟s just about sticking with it.”
