CWMBRAN goalkeeper Glyn Garner had the best day of his professional life after getting a phone call from one of his boyhood idols.
Garner, 29, a goalkeeper with League Two outfit Leyton Orient, is a shock inclusion in the Wales squad to face Paraguay on St David's Day at the Millennium Stadium after a string of superb performances.
He received a call from Wales boss John Toshack and Garner has admitted his feet haven't touched the ground since.
Garner explained: "He was someone I looked up to as a youngster who dreamed of playing for Wales and getting the call from him to say I was in his squad was fantastic, a dream come true.
"After the phone call I was in shock and it has been so difficult keeping this a secret for a couple of days, my phone hasn't stopped ringing since the squad was announced!
"I am on cloud nine and everyone at Leyton Orient, from the manager (Martin Ling) to the chairman (boxing promoter Barry Hearn) is delighted for me.
"My parents were of course incredibly excited, now I just have to wait until the squad get together, I really am looking forward to it immensely."
Garner was thrust into the limelight this season after heroic performances in the FA Cup, particularly in the third round where he helped Orient to win 2-1 at Premiership outfit Fulham, saving a penalty in a man of the match performance.
With Orient going well in League Two and an international berth now secured, Garner admits this season has far surpassed any in his career so far.
"I am having a great season, being part of a successful side and now getting a Wales call-up, it is like all my career highlights coming at the same time!" the former Bury stopper explained.
"This has been my greatest season as a professional footballer and hopefully even better things lie ahead." Boss Toshack has been impressed with Garner's form this season, explaining: "We noticed his performance against Fulham at Craven Cottage where he saved a penalty and soon after he played very well at Wrexham.
"He performed well in the FA Cup fourth round at Charlton and is a good option for us. "We thought about Jason Brown and Martyn Margetson, but have gone for Glyn, he deserves to be in the squad."
Wales squad: P Jones (QPR), Garner (Leyton Orient), Price (Ipswich), D Collins (Sunderland), Delaney (Aston Villa), Edwards (Wolves), Page (Coventry), Partridge (Bristol City), Nyatanga (Derby), Ricketts (Swansea), J Collins, Gabbidon, Fletcher (all West Ham), Crofts (Gillingham), M Jones (Wrexham), Davies (Everton), Koumas (West Brom), Ledley (Cardiff), Robinson (Norwich), Vaughan (Crewe), Bellamy (Blackburn), Cotterill (Bristol City), Earnshaw (Norwich), Giggs (Man United).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article