Aston Villa full-back J Lloyd Samuel is still hoping to represent Leo Beenhakker’s Trinidad & Tobago Warriors team at the 2006 World Cup finals, even though FIFA rules prohibit this.

The 24-year-old, who has played for England's Under-21 side, has appealed against FIFA's ruling that he is too old to switch allegiance.

The Soca Warriors are in Group B, the same as England, which would be a dream come true for Samuel, and he said on his website: "The World Cup draw opens up the possibility of a real dream coming true.”

"The appeal is still going through and I'm keeping my fingers crossed."

Samuel was born in Trinidad but has represented England at both Under-18 and Under-21 levels, and was called up to the senior squad for last year's friendly for England against Sweden, although he did not participate in the match.

Samuel insisted, "I do feel Trinidadian, and the chance to appear for them on the biggest stage, and to play against England is mouthwatering.”

"But I don't want to think too much about it until I know whether it is going to happen."

FIFA rules explain that while players can switch allegiance if they have not represented a country at senior level, they must do so before the age of 21.

"We have noted that Samuel has not played for the England senior team but also that he was born in 1981," said FIFA spokesman, Heinz Tannler.

"In principle, a player can request once changing the association for which he is eligible to play international matches - but only up until his 21st birthday - and Samuel is 24."

In a change of rules two years ago, FIFA allowed players who were under 21 to change their national allegiance if they had represented a second country at junior level and held dual nationality. Players over 21 were given a one year period in which to make their applications to switch nationality. The deadline for any submissions was 31 December 2004.

From these stipulations, it seems that Samuel is unlikely to be allowed to switch nationality at such a late stage.

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