MICHAEL Coulson admits it was a shock to hear about his selection for the England C squad this week – but is delighted to be called up for his country.

The 22-year-old has been sidelined for a fortnight with a badly bruised ankle but still made Paul Fairclough's 16-man squad for next week's friendly in Wales.

And he is confident he can win the race to be fit enough to join up with his new international team-mates in 10 days time after making good progress in his recovery from what was initially expected to be a longer-term injury.

The former Barnsley man had hoped to be in contention for today's televised clash with Luton Town – but now acknowledges that may have been a bit ambitious.

Coulson said: "It's getting there.

"I was hoping to be fit for today but I think it's come a bit to soon.

"I would hope to be back for next week, though, especially with the England game a few days later.

"I didn't have a clue about it until I got a text around 10.30 on Wednesday night.

"It's a surprise because I've been injured but I'm hoping I will be all right by then.

"Hopefully I can get on the pitch if I do go down and do myself justice.

"I'm proud as punch – to get to wear an England shirt at any level.

"Hopefully my ankle will be okay and I can go and do myself and Grimsby Town proud.

"The aim then is to force my way into the team for the competitive games."

Coulson limped off midway through the defeat against Hayes & Yeading after a crunching tackle ended his afternoon early – and he left Blundell Park on crutches.

It was feared he would miss at least a month but an x-ray confirmed no broken bones and, two weeks on, he is champing at the bit for a return to action.

He went on: "It did feel quite bad after the game – my ankle came up like a balloon.

"I was fearing the worst to be honest.

"I went to the hospital for an x-ray straight away on the Saturday night and, when I got the results back from that showing the all clear, it was a big bonus.

"The swelling was that big I thought it must be serious.

"But, touch wood, the physios think the ligaments feel all right and it may have just been a bit of tendon damage.

"For the last two weeks I've just been trying to get the swelling down and get some movement back in my ankle.

"It's still a bit sore but I'm jogging on it and it's getting easier every day now.

"I'm doing a lot of exercises to strengthen my ankle.

"It was a bad time to happen because there are so many games at the moment.

"I've missed three games and yet I've only been out for a week and a half.

"It's just one of those things that is part of football, though.

"I've come back from injuries a lot worse so have to be thankful this wasn't as bad as expected."