Deep in the grip of a snowy English winter, you could forgive Dennis Lawrence's thoughts straying to the sun-soaked Test Series arenas of his native Caribbean.
Lawrence – whose loan spell from Swansea has been extended to the end of the season – could again be a key figure at the back for the Alex as they look to keep out the powerful attack of second-placed MK Dons this weekend.
But on Sunday, the experienced campaigner jets off to San Salvador, where he will link up with his Trinidad and Tobago international team-mates to prepare for a vital World Cup clash.
Trinny, the media story of the 2006 World Cup Finals, are again homing in on an unlikely qualification against the big guns of the USA and Mexico.
And Lawrence, along with a clutch of British-based survivors from that side, such as former Crewe keeper Clayton Ince and Sunderland's Carlos Edwards and Kenwyne Jones, will be aiming to again win the hearts and minds of the home public for so long raised to be loyal to their other national sport.
And there will be little time for the easy-going centre-half to draw breath as he will be back in England in time for Crewe's trip to Leyton Orient next Saturday.
Lawrence said: "I've got some big games coming up so it is important to be focused. First and foremost, I am looking forward to going to the MK Dons as it is a new ground for me.
"I've played at the Hockey Stadium before, but this should be an interesting experience.
"We know that as a club MK Dons have been on the up and up. But we have got to go out and get something from the game. There is no point in thinking about the opposition and how much cash they have spent."
Lawrence re-emerged swiftly from a heel injury suffered in the recent 3-2 epic over Sc**thorpe to put himself back in the line for duty.
By which time he found himself alongside a new defensive partner in the shape of Marlon Broomes as new Alex boss Gudjon Thordarson banks on some experienced heads to get his side out of relegation trouble.
"In the situation we are in we need everyone to try to be available. I was struggling a bit for the game at Peterborough, but with Julien (Baudet) suspended I knew we were short.
"I wasn't 100 per cent fit, but I felt I had to make myself available and give my all," recalled the defender.
"Now it is good we have brought Marlon in. He has been around and we need as much experience as we can get in the situation we are in.
"Beating Tranmere last weekend was very important and we need to keep going now. It wasn't ideal the midweek game with Yeovil was called off as it would have been nice to have got another three points.
"But we've got to go to MK Dons and think we can get something. We know it is not going to be an easy game for us, but we have picked up points in recent weeks and we have got to go on doing that."
As he hopes his country can manage to do on Wednesday night in the hostile atmosphere of the Estadio Cuscatlan.
Trinidad enter the final CONCACAF qualifying phase as fourth favourites to take three final places and need to be targeting their games against El Salvador and Honduras.
"Everyone is putting the US, Mexico and Costa Rica down to qualify, but it is up to us to disprove them again," said Lawrence.
"Back home the expectation levels are high and fans are really looking forward to these games now, especially after we qualified from the previous group.
"We have got to get into the right frame of mind and it would be a great start if we can start off with three points in El Salvador.
"Most of the locally-based boys have been preparing for the game in a training camp in Argentina and myself and the other European-based players are joining up with them.
"Russell Latapy has been appointed assistant manager and he brings a wealth of experience to the job."
Alongside other familiar faces such as Chris Birchall and Stern John there is now a youthful crop of talent emerging from the local leagues in the islands capable of filling the boots of Trinny's older set.
Stalwarts such as Lawrence, Ince and Edwards emerged from local football and were fixed up with clubs like Wrexham and Crewe a decade ago by agent Mike Berry, who later served as a consultant to the national team.
And Lawrence predicts there is more talent to follow in their footsteps such as home-based striker Cornell Glen, defender Makan Hislop, a relative of former Reading and West Ham keeper Shaka, and midfielder Keon Daniel.
"We have got a few lads who have come in and done well who are still playing their football back in Trinidad," said Lawrence.
"The youngsters have been encouraged to get involved in football and the World Cup helped that.
"Cricket is still very big part of life in Trinidad and we have had some fantastic times over the years, but I think football is also a massive sport back home too now".