Chris Birchall will put club before country and ask to miss Trinidad and Tobago's Gold Cup games next month. The 21-year-old winger made his international debut 10 days ago, playing in the Caribbean republic's World Cup qualifying matches at home to Panama and away to Mexico.
Trinidad are next to play at least three games in the United States as part of the 12-team Gold Cup, but Birchall wants to spend pre-season with Vale to stake his claim for a place in Martin Foyle's side at the start of the season.
Trinidad and Tobago will play Honduras, Panama and Colombia on July 6, 9 and 11 respectively and could play a further three games if they go all the way to the final.
Birchall, who discussed the situation with Foyle yesterday, said: "He told me it was entirely up to me, but he would prefer me to have a rest, which I have not done since the start of last season.
"I think that is fair. Port Vale are the team who have got me where I am. I owe them and I want to be part of pre-season here and starting the season in the first eleven. The last thing I want to do is miss games for Vale."
Birchall is still hoping to be selected for his country's World Cup qualifiers away to the United States on August 17 and at home to Guatemala on September 3, having impressed in his two competitive games for Trinidad.
They beat Panama 2-0 in Port of Spain, but lost 2-0 to Mexico in Monterrey four days later.
Birchall said: "I have no doubt the experience has been good for me. It was great playing in front of 50,000, which we did in Monterrey. I can't wait for the season to start now."