ALL NEW TO ME ... Matt Jarvis revels in training with England

MATT JARVIS felt like a five-year-old child as he was driven through the gates of the England team hotel in Hertfordshire.

The surprise name in Fabio Capello's 26-man squad for the matches with Wales and Ghana, Jarvis did not know any of his new team-mates.

Incredibly, he has never been involved with any England age group so this was his first representative call-up since playing for Surrey Under-16s.

The in-form Molineux star, who was released by Millwall as a 15-year-old, yesterday spoke with terrific pride having made one of the more unconventional journeys to senior international football.

Jarvis, 24, said: "I was a bit nervous coming down in the car, having never been in the squad. I didn't really know any of the players so it felt like the first day of school again.

"I wanted to meet everyone, train and now I feel a bit more comfortable.

"But yes, I'm delighted the way I've done it. I've missed out on the Under-17s, 19s, 21s, but it gives you the grounding and the determination to improve. Obviously this has been a goal of mine - it is a dream of everyone when they are little to play for their country. Obviously I have been selected in the squad and fingers crossed.

"I was last picked for a Surrey team, when I was aged about 15. It is some jump and a very strange feeling but obviously I am delighted.

"I think I have managed to play consistently well and get more goals - my game has developed and I've been able to put in that final cross.

"After being told I had been picked, I was speechless. I didn't know how to react, it was such a strange feeling. Even after about an hour, I didn't know what to think. I wanted to tell everyone and then come to terms with it myself.

"I got a lot of texts and calls from people, past managers, players and people like that, congratulating me. Everyone was just delighted for me, telling me to just go and enjoy it.

"Mick McCarthy was delighted for me, happy I got in the team - but just didn't want me to get injured!

"There were quite a few messages from my team mates at Wolves, that was nice to hear and past managers, Andy Hessenthaler, even going further back, past physios and fitness coaches. It was nice to hear."

Jarvis broke the ice with his team-mates by playing them at table tennis. His parents, Nick and Linda, were both professionals for England so while he never wanted to follow in their footsteps, he is pretty decent at ping-pong.

He said: "I'm okay at table tennis. I was a bit rusty on Monday night but I played a couple of games. I didn't really play a lot as a youngster, you'd be surprised. I never really went to tournaments, just a couple.

"I beat Joe Hart and Michael Dawson. They think of themselves as good and they were giving it large. But I managed to beat them - but they beat me back!"

Jarvis is unlikely to feature against Wales on Saturday but it is certain that he will be handed his first cap against Ghana at Wembley in six days.

This will be a great reward for a player who feared his career was about to end in his teens after being shown the door by Millwall - only to be given an instant chance by Gillingham.

He added: "Millwall was gutting, I suppose. I had a point where I was thinking: 'what should I do, should I carry on with this?' As soon as I was thinking that then everyone was telling me that I should continue and from there I went straight to Gillingham.

"I didn't actually play that well when I was on trial there but managed to get a contract there and everything has gone amazing from there."

Jarvis is a Manchester United fan - although many would argue this is not a surprise as he is from Surrey.

And while he has plenty of football souvenirs, he admits his first England shirt will take pride of place at home.

He said: "I've got a few shirts and things. I most prized possession is the shirt and medal from winning the Championship with Wolves. I've got them framed and if I get on for England I'll definitely get my shirt framed. That would become number one."