Oxford United midfielder Shandon Baptiste has decided against joining up with the Grenada national team after his recent call up in the hope of pushing for an entrance into the England setup.
The 21-year-old was due to fly out to the Caribbean this week with the national side, of which he has made three friendly appearances for, for the games against French Guiana in the Concacaf Nations League.
But the highly-rated midfielder, who has attracted interest from numerous Premier League sides, hopes to explore a route into the England system.
Baptiste, who contacted the Grenada FA to indicate he wanted to turn down the call-up, will now be available for the U’s match against Doncaster Rovers in Sky Bet League One on Saturday.
United head coach Karl Robinson told the Oxford Mail: “It’s something Shandon really wants to think about.
“Everybody has seen he has the talent to go and play at the highest level, so he thought it was right he didn’t want to commit too soon.
“It’s something he found very difficult to speak about on Friday night and probably had an influence on his performance because he was worrying about it.
“He loves where he was born, but he’s been in England since he was three and if that opportunity arises one day you just don’t know.
“I like the bravery in it. People may say it’s a million miles off, but why stop a boy dreaming?”
It is the second time he has turned down a call-up, having done so in September last year just after breaking into the U’s side.
It’s also an impressively bold move for the midfielder who missed most of last season with two severe injuries, but he is highly thought of amongst Oxford supporters.
