The Malteser who can’t wait to take on Alli
FIRST FOOTBALL ALL MEMORY
Growing up in sutton when I would spend hours in the garden with my older brother kicking a ball about after school every night before being called in for our dinner or playing in the junior leagues.
BEST PLAYER I’VE PLAYED WITH
Andy Yiadom at Barnet who is now at Barnsley and an international for Ghana. Rapid at right-back and somebody who always had something to say.
TOUGHEST OPPONENT
tomas Rosicky when we played the Czech Republic. He was brilliant and there was no way any of us could get the ball off him. You could see when he got the ball the amount of talent he had and how he moved the ball. David Alaba too has to rank up there from when we played Austria.
FAVOURITE FOOTBALLING MOMENT
My debut for Barnet at AFC Wimbledon. I previously came from Wimbledon’s academy so to make my debut against them was special. But my debut against the Czech Republic for Malta last May was just as good. Even though we lost 6-0 it was amazing to be on that sort of stage. I’m looking forward to facing Dele Alli later this week. He’s someone I really admire for proving himself the way he has. It’ll be a proper challenge
SPORTING HERO
Gianfranco Zola. similar position to me and similar height. I enjoyed watching him when I was growing up and tried to learn things from watching him.
TOUGHEST AWAY GROUND
Portsmouth, Fratton Park. It’s always an intimidating atmosphere there. they have great support and the stands are really close to the pitch so there’s not a lot that you don’t hear when you’re playing. Not a place we have to go to this season.
THE FIRST ALBUM I BOUGHT
An Eminem one. Curtain Call I think because that had all the hits on. In terms of motivation it always gave me a bit of a boost. It would have come from my brother because he liked hip-hop and I used to get all my music from him!
KARAOKE SONG
A Michael Jackson number. that’s the one I go for if there’s any sort of gettogether. something like Thriller or Smooth Criminal.
BEST-DRESSED TEAM-MATE
I played with Jamal Campbell-Ryce at Barnet. the guy’s smooth and can pull just about anything off. In terms of Malta, the best dressed would have to be Zach Muscat, who plays in Italy. He’s picked up some style since moving there.
DREAM DINNER PARTY GUESTS
Denzel Washington, Jessica Alba and Michael Jackson. Leave the footballers at home and I’d have a great night.
IF I WASN’T A FOOTBALLER
I’d probably work for my dad’s bakery and cafe. When I was younger I used to spend my summers loading up the dishwasher.