YORK City’s new loan signing Andre Boucaud is hoping a move to Bootham Crescent will revive his international career with Trinidad and Tobago.
Boucaud, 26, last played for the Soca Warriors in 2004 and won all of his six caps that year, making his debut against Iraq and also tackling the likes of Scotland and Mexico.
Since then, he has been jettisoned by his country but the 26-year-old midfielder believes the fact that City have agreed to shell out a transfer fee to Kettering for his services in January could bring him back to the attention of Trinidad’s coaching team of Russell Latapy and Dwight Yorke.
Boucaud has lined up alongside both Latapy and former Manchester United striker Yorke for the Caribbean state, as well as current Stoke City star Kenwyne Jones and ex-Premier League forward Stern John.
But, having played at the start of the qualifying campaign for the 2006 World Cup, the one-time Tottenham trainee was overlooked for the squad when Trinidad made the finals in Germany.
The Enfield-born playmaker has never turned his back on the country that was the homeland of both his parents though and would relish a second chance to pull on the red and black shirt.
“I played in World Cup qualifiers and friendlies and it was a great experience that I would definitely like to enjoy again,” Boucaud told The Press.
“It was disappointing not to make the World Cup squad but I was at Peterborough at the time when that infamous documentary was made.
“The club was in turmoil and that didn’t help me.
“I wasn’t playing club football so they could not really pick me for Germany.”
Added the midfielder: “But maybe Trinidad will look at this move now and take note that people are seeing I am doing something right. Hopefully, then, I can get another call-up.”
Boucaud is also aiming to get up and running with City after a stop-start beginning to life in North Yorkshire.
The ex-Peterborough midfielder was ineligible for the FA Cup second round tie with Darlington after joining the Minstermen on loan having played for Kettering earlier in the competition.
Then, after enjoying a 20-minute run-out as a substitute at Kidderminster last Tuesday, he was denied the chance of a full debut at the weekend when City’s home match against AFC Wimbledon was snowed off.
About biding his time with the Minstermen, Boucaud said: “It is frustrating but it’s one of those things. What happens with the weather can’t be helped.
“At least, I got 20 minutes at Kidderminster the other night and I was happy with that. It was nice to pull on a shirt and get on the pitch.
“I thought we could have nicked it at the end but to go there and get a draw wasn’t too bad.”
After watching three-quarters of last week’s game from the bench, Boucaud also admitted that he was impressed with City’s commitment towards pass and move football, saying: “The boys looked decent because the conditions were pretty hard.
“It might have looked easier from the bench or in the crowd but, when you got on to the pitch, the ground was like concrete, it was hard to run and the ball was bouncing everywhere.
“But it was lovely to see how the lads try to play because I always want to play football and get the ball down.”