Source: Team_Talk
Earnie determined to make his mark
The Nottingham Forest striker, who has started just one international in 16 months, admitted he even considered retiring from international football.[LNB]Toshack was critical of the 27-year-old's contribution and dropped him from two squads, with injuries ruling him out on other occasions.[LNB]But Earnshaw is back in the frame now and determined to make his mark in the World Cup qualifiers in Cardiff against Finland on Saturday and Germany next Wednesday.[LNB]Earnshaw, who has scored 13 goals in 41 appearances for his country, has revealed his hurt at being overlooked by Toshack.[LNB]His nightmare time at Derby last season, when he was shunned for months, certainly contributed to Toshack's decision with the player low of confidence.[LNB]Earnshaw said: "It has been a long road back for me, it has been hard and I have picked up injuries, which has not helped much.[LNB]"But the objective has always been to get back into the Wales squad. That has been the aim, I want to play every game for Wales."[LNB]Earnshaw escaped his Derby hell last summer and although Forest are deep in a relegation battle, he has scored 14 times this season and in recent weeks has looked back to his best.[LNB]He said: "My ambition is to do well in this Wales team, and for the team to do well. We have a good, young, squad that needs to be in touching distance of qualifying for tournaments.[LNB]"That is what everyone wants, I am the same. Maybe it could have been a case of me deciding to retire (from international football)and throwing my toys out of the pram.[LNB]"But I took a long, hard look at things and the case was clear, I needed to be back in the squad and to be given my time to show what it means to me.[LNB]"Going to Forest has been the key. It has been almost like a flip of a coin from the very worst things to the best. I have got plenty of goals this season and things have gone brilliantly on a personal level.[LNB]"From leaving Derby everything has changed. After only a few months I knew I needed to leave there, I was the wrong person at the wrong club at the wrong time.[LNB]"I needed to be at a good club and play matches and show that is what I was about. I just needed games to show that, and things have had a knock-on effect and I am back on the international scene."[LNB]He added: "Retirement did cross my mind. It was a thought, certainly. But in the end being in the Wales squad was important.[LNB]"There were times that I found out I wasn't selected only by watching TV. That was the lowest point for me, to find out that way that I was not in the squad.[LNB]"I felt it was just not right that I was not in there with the rest of the lads after so long in the squad.[LNB]"I decided that I needed to go away(leave Derby)and play football and everything else would fall into place."[LNB]Earnshaw had been a fixture in the squad for six years, scoring the winner on his debut against Germany in 2002.[LNB]He said: "I was so used to seeing my name in those squads. I was in the Premier League at the time, and I felt that I should be good enough to get into the squad.[LNB]"I still feel that is the case. But now I am 100 per cent fit and I am playing a lot of games and things have turned right around.[LNB]"My hunger to play for Wales has increased since I have been out of the squad. When I started games I scored a lot of goals and did myself justice.[LNB]"I was frustrated and annoyed. But being left out has made me tougher and stronger.[LNB]"It has given me that extra hunger. I am refreshed by going to Forest and I now want a lot more games and a lot more starts.[LNB]"I didn't take my selection for granted. But I felt that having been involved in everything for so long, I should have been in there.[LNB]"There's no bad blood. I am back now and just want to do my best for my country. I needed to score goals to prove that I should be involved for Wales. I just want to put the bad times behind me."[LNB]On the injury front, defender James Collins and striker Craig Bellamy have been declared fit to face Finland after hamstring and knee injuries.[LNB][LNB][LNB]
