LA Galaxy and USA captain Landon Donovan says his loan spell at Everton helped him discover a new gear to his game.
Donovan never felt he belonged at football's top table until his move to Merseyside.
And now that experience could backfire on the country which gave him the platform to bounce back.
Donovan said: "Playing for Everton was incredible because I was playing at a level I have never experienced before - and I was doing well and scoring goals.
"When I got to Goodison I was just hoping that things would go well. What actually happened was that I found that I had another level in my game - I hope that shows against England."