West Brom defender Darren Moore is relishing the chance to prove himself once again on the Premiership stage, and he's also looking forward to a return to international football after a three-year absence, as he told givemefootball's Ian Clarkson.
Q:You've been recalled to the Jamaican squad after three years. Are you surprised?
A:I was called up at Portsmouth three years ago and to get another call-up is wonderful. It is exciting and I remember the last time I was in Jamaica there was a real buzz about the island. Ever since they qualified (for the World Cup) in 1998 it has been really exciting. It is on par with cricket now, which is absolutely huge in the Caribbean.
Q:Why did the coach, Carl Brown, pick you again?
A:He was over in England attending coaching courses and he followed my progress. I am sure winning promotion was a big factor. I just wanted to get my head down and play well for West Brom and hope that things would drop into place, which is what has happened.
Q:How impressed have you been with Kanu since he arrived at Albion?
A:He is fantastic. He oozes class and his ability is second to none. I have seen first hand how he can control a football and, for a big man, he has incredibly silky feet. I can see that he is going to improve our hold-up play and he will be a massive asset. He is a joy to work with and we are learning so much from him. With the players he has been around he can bring great ideas to the club.
Q:So you can still learn from players like that at your age?
A:I, for one, will be taking some rich pickings off him and I would be silly not to. On a one-on-one basis I will be getting little pointers off him regarding the season ahead. When I was at Bradford I used to pick the brains of Stuart McCall and Peter Beagrie. It can only stand you in good stead and Kanu has a vast experience of winning things at the highest level.
Q:I take it you learned a lot from your time at clubs like Doncaster and Torquay?
A:When I was at Torquay I remember playing against Tommy Tynan, the old Plymouth centre-forward who was coming to the end of his career. However, he had vast experience and playing against him was an education. Tynan in the old Third Division and Ruud van Nistelrooy in the Premiership - both difficult opponents in their own way.
Q:Do you think the fact that you played in the lower leagues gives you a greater hunger?
A:I am still hungry and my ambition has been to play in the Premiership. We had a taste of it a couple of years ago and I am at that stage of my career where I don't want to throw it away. With the greatest of respect to the other divisions, it is a fantastic challenge to play in the Premiership and test yourself against the best.
Q:It looks like being a tough competition for the places this season, doesn't it?
A:We have got a huge squad and the competition is rife, but you need that for the club to progress and move forward. There is competition to get in - and stay in - the team because there are probably six people who could play at centre-half. It is important that when you get your opportunity you grab it with both hands.
