Everton’s Jack Rodwell has welcomed the idea of a Great Britain Olympic football team and insists he would be ‘proud’ to participate.
The Blues midfielder will be 21 at the time of next summer’s London Games, putting him firmly in the frame for selection for what will be primarily an Under-23 squad.
And Rodwell told evertontv: "I would definitely like to be involved. You always want to test yourself at a high level and I would be proud to represent Great Britain.
"It is effectively a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be involved in something like that and the chance to win an Olympic medal would be amazing."
The prospect of a GB team has been the subject of much debate this week. Domestically, only the English are championing the idea, while the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish associations all oppose the plan.
They feel it sets a dangerous precedent and are keen to stave off a perceived threat to their future autonomy as independent footballing nations.
Everton and Wales legend Neville Southall understands those concerns.
“I don't see the point,” said the keeper, who was capped a record 92 times by his country.
“You will just lose the identity of all the teams. The whole point of going to the Olympics is that special moment when your flag goes up. What flag are they going to put up if they win it? The Union Jack? It's not my flag. My flag's a dragon.
"As a Welshman I'd rather play for Wales if I was in the Olympics. I would want to go and represent my country."
Southall also believes club managers would be reluctant to release players for a competition staged on the eve of the 2012/13 season.
"If I've got a player who is worth £10m, why would I want somebody kicking lumps out of him at the Olympics?" he added. ”I've heard David Beckham's name mentioned and people like that and I'm thinking 'that's professional'. The whole ethos (of the Olympics) is it's amateur."
However, Southall’s former Everton and Wales skipper, Kevin Ratcliffe, can see Rodwell’s point of view. The former centre-half understands why a player would be keen to be involved.
"To take part in the Olympics is a great thing,” he said. "I don't think the clubs would be too happy - they are not too happy with them going away and playing friendlies for their country.
“But I think it would be a great honour for anybody to represent the British Isles. It's just like playing for the Lions (rugby union team). I would love to have done it though this is obviously a matter between the FAs."
