TV programme brings good news for Jansen!

Last updated : 15 April 2002 By Matt

He was apparently "shocked but delighted" when, after turning on the TV, he was informed (along with the rest of the nation!) that he'd been called up by Sven Goran Eriksson for England's up and coming World Cup warm up with Paraguay later this week.

He is almost certain to get his first cap against the South Americans as Eriksson puts out an experimental side.

In a recent interview he revealed: "I sat down and switched on Sky Sports News about half past eight on Saturday night - and it was a big shock to see my name up there.

"The phone hasn't stopped ringing and it was about half-an-hour before I got through to my parents to tell them the news - my dad's head is still in the clouds a bit, taking it all in.

"I knew that Tord Grip had been to watch me against Chelsea, but it was still a surprise. This is a dream come true for me and I'm absolutely delighted.

"It's been an ambition of mine to play for England since I was a young boy. To get a call-up in my first full season back in the Premiership is just great," he continued...

"People say I have a good chance of playing and if I do, I know it will be up to me to do myself justice and show people what I can do."

As regular RoversMAD readers will know, Matt has been suffering from a hernia problem in recent weeks but he is said to be insistant that it is currently "no problem" for him.

He said: "England would not even consider picking me if they though there was the slightest doubt about my fitness.

"I've been getting an injection before games and it doesn't stop me from playing my normal game in any way at all."