AFC BOURNEMOUTH captain Carl Fletcher is the latest player to be called into the Welsh set-up.

The tough-tackling midfielder has family from Gwent and his grandmother - Gwen Mahoney - came from Ebbw Vale.

And now the Second Division player is rubbing shoulders with the likes of Ryan Giggs and Gary Speed "I received a phone call from my gaffer (Sean O'Driscoll) on Sunday night at about 10.15pm and he told me that I had been called into the Welsh squad.

"You could say it was a shock and it did cross your mind that it could be a wind up, but I packed my bags and made my way here (The Vale of Glamorgan Hotel - Welsh FA base).

"I was actually getting ready for bed but then had to drive to Wales. I arrived about 1.30am on Monday and was then up at the crack of dawn to train with the squad.

"It's great to be here, this morning I trained with Ryan Giggs and a few of the other Premiership players and although I don't really expect to start, the important thing for me is to learn off these players. But it is not only the likes of Giggs that impress you it is the younger players in the squad that already play at the highest level that you can still learn so much from.

"The one thing I've found though is that there are no superstars in this side, everyone is down to earth and the team spirit that the squad had in training could be likened to that of AFC Bournemouth."

Fletcher joins fellow team-mates Marcus Browning and Brian Stock who have both been involved with Wales at Under-21 or full level.

"No doubt I'll get some stick from the lads about this as well as Brian Stock and Marcus Browning.

"But I have got Welsh links, my grandmother was from Ebbw Vale so that is how I qualify to play for Wales. I used to go and visit her in Ebbw Vale was I was younger."

Fletcher's last experience of the Millennium Stadium was in the Third Division play-off final where he led AFC Bournemouth to glory. And he is hoping that his return is equally as memorable.

"The last time I was there was the highlight of my career. The play-offs was a day that I will never forget, I've got all the photos and the clippings of that day and to return there as part of the Welsh set-up is amazing.

"I never thought after that game I'd return in these circumstances but that's football. You never know what can happen.

"I'd like to think that it is reward for all the hard work I've put in over the past few years. I expect that my parents will come up for the game and whether I'm involved or not I'm looking forward to the game."