Welling United striker Andy Pugh on standby for England C's trip to Gibraltar
10:33, 09 November 2011
by Matthew Panting
Welling striker Andy Pugh is on the verge of a call-up to the England C squad.
Pugh (pictured), who has 13 Blue Square Bet South goals to his name this season, has been placed on standby ahead of England's trip to Gibraltar on Tuesday.
The forward is among a 26-man contingency squad should any of the 18-man party drop out due to injury over the weekend.
It means that he could miss Welling's re-arranged league game with Salisbury at Park View Road on Tuesday - but Wings boss Jamie Day insisted it was a win-win situation.
"It's good for him and the club to see him put on standby for the squad," said Day. "To get into that list is an achievement in itself.
"That's down to Andy's hard work, he has to continue that now and keep scoring goals.
"For me, if Andy does get the call-up then he goes and represents his country with our blessing.
"We don't want to lose our better players for any games but it will give someone else a chance if Andy does get a call-up.
"At the same time, if he doesn't get called up then he will play for us against Salisbury so it's a win-win situation for us."
Day also dismissed continued rumours linking Pugh with a move in the January transfer window. Ironically, a change in the rules means he can move into the Football League on a permanent deal at any time during the season as he plays in a part-time league.
But Day again insisted that the club has yet to receive any offers.
"We haven't heard a thing and as far as I am concerned there is nothing in place now or for January," said Day.
"From my point of view, if he keeps scoring goals then I am sure someone will take a chance on him by Christmas. But he has to keep working hard and doing the right things.
"He has got 13 goals out of the 36 league goals we've scored so it would be a loss but we don't want to stop people progressing and for Andy that would be a move into the Football League."
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