He may be playing home games as far as is possible in senior British football from Chris Coleman's office in Cardiff but out of sight in Inverness is no longer out of mind in terms of international selection as Marley Watkins has discovered.

Converted from wide midfielder into a striker at Inverness to great effect, his physicality and speed offering an added dimension to their play, Watkins boasts a cosmopolitan background.

Born in England's capital, while his family on his maternal side hail from France, he could, after the past couple of years at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, even qualify to play for Scotland under residency rules, but seems in no doubt where his heart lies.

"I was born in Lewisham, but moved straight away and grew up in Swansea, so it's a special place to me," he explained.

"I used to go to the Vetch. I was at the game when they beat Hull to stay in League Two. I've done pitch invasions at the Vetch, just joining in with the fans so it's a special place."

Released from Swansea City club's academy when approaching senior level, just as the transformation which took the club back to the top tier of British football began, Watkins expresses no regrets however.

"I feel that was a blessing in disguise for me personally, to go away and grow... and coming here, playing in a final and getting into Europe, it's just awesome," he said.

While, then, opportunities to return to South Wales are obviously now very limited, a call received towards last November raised the prospect of doing so on official duty for the 24-year-old as it became clear that down in the valleys Wales manager Coleman is monitoring the form of a player who has contributed well to this season's Highland uprising.

"I was on standby early on in the season when I was on the wing actually, so that's definitely a target of mine and I feel it's possible," said Watkins.

"It makes you realise that it's not that far away with a bit form and that, so it's got to be something to aim for.

"Playing for Wales would be a dream come true and it's definitely a target."

Meantime, though, he can see comparisons between what has been achieved in his current home city and developments at his original one.

"Most players who play at Swansea say it's a special place. It's been a great journey, 10 years from staying up in League Two to the Prem and this has been a special journey here as well, so it's quite similar."