Dorman desperate to play Wales role.

Byline: MARK CURRIE 

ANDY DORMAN, who hails from the Flintshire environment that produced a hat-trick of Wales captains, is hoping to end a 10-year wait for his first international cap this weekend.

The 27-year-old midfielder is set to become the first 'adopted Welshman' to play for the country where he was brought up, even though he was born in Chester and has English parent and grandparents.

He is a beneficiary of a recent Fifa rule change that allows players to represent a country in which they have had five years of compulsory education.

And Dorman spent the formative years of his life in Hawarden, attending the same village secondary school as former Wales skipper Gary Speed.

In addition he played both Flintshire and Wales school football following in the footsteps of Speed, Kevin Ratcliffe and Ian Rush.

It was his performances for Wales Schools that earned him a US college scholarship and he later went on to play Major League Soccer with New England Revolution before joining Scottish Premier League outfit St Mirren in January last year.

After training with his new international team-mates yesterday, Dorman admitted he had all but given up on his ambitions to play for Wales, the country he regards as home.

"It's great for me that the rule has been changed and that I've been called into the squad and I'm really excited," he said.

"I lived in Hawarden for 17 years and my parents were both English, but I learned Welsh at school and we sang the Welsh national anthem - although it's a while since I've done that.

"I'd given up on my ambitions to play for Wales once I found out I wasn't eligible, so I'm really enjoying the experience of being here."

Since joining St Mirren, Dorman has been earning rave reviews and, although he was initially overlooked for John Toshack's original squad for Saturday's friendly with Scotland, injuries to Premier League duo Simon Davies of Fulham and West Ham United's Jack Collison, have now given him an opportunity.

"I wasn't really sure what was going on even though there had been a lot written in the Scottish press about the rule-change," added Dorman. "It only happened a couple of weeks ago so I thought a call-up would possibly happen later than it did, but I've got my chance because of injuries and the like.

"The situation had gone quiet for four or five years because there was a time when I was playing in America when there was a possibility of the rule being changed.

"I spoke to a few journalists from over here, but nothing ever happened at that time.

"For it to have changed now is brilliant for me. It's ironic the game on Saturday is against Scotland, but there's some hard training to be done before I can even think about playing. I need to do well in that first.

"I'd like to make my Wales debut as soon as possible, but having waited so long, I might have to wait a bit longer."

Andy But the word from within the Welsh camp is that Dorman's time has come, even though he's waited nearly 10 years and travelled halfway round the world since last wearing the famous red shirt.

And there will be no shortage of familiar faces on the pitch at the new Cardiff City stadium - even if they are playing for the opposition.

"I know some of the Scottish lads and obviously it's going to be a tough match," said Dorman. "They had a tough (World Cup) campaign and there were a few problems along the way for them, but they have some good players and I reckon it will be an interesting game on Saturday."

Meanwhile, Toshack has suffered another withdrawal, with defender Chris Gunter the latest to defect because of a viral infection. Gunter's absence means Cardiff defender Adam Matthews - called up for the first time - is certain now to get a place on the bench.

Dorman