Ebbsfleet wideman Omari Sterling-James has recalled the time he turned down England C in favour of international football with Saint Kitts and Nevis.

The 29-year-old misses this weekend’s trip to Slough in National League South as he plays in the Concacaf Nations League Group stages for his country.

It could have been a different story after he was initially called up for England C while impressing for Solihull Moors.

“When I was at Moors, I was playing well and about halfway through the season I got an England C call-up,” said Sterling-James.

“From then, I knew a guy who worked in the Saint Kitts set-up as well at the time and he contacted them and I got a letter calling me up for the Saint Kitts first team.

“I had the choice of England C and Saint Kitts. There’s nothing wrong with playing for England C but I wanted to play for my country, especially growing up at my grandad’s house with him and my nan, and knowing my heritage that way, it made sense.”

Sterling-James featured twice for his country last summer, scoring in a 3-2 win over Aruba in June, before signing for the Fleet on his return.

“I’ve been playing since I was 22 so for seven years and it’s been a good experience,” he said. “The last time we played was last summer. We had our first two games of this competition and took four points, winning away and then drawing at home. Now it’s a reverse of those two games so hopefully we can get two wins and qualify.

“They say National League football is physical but international football is really physical. A lot of the players are quicker and stronger, some are not as technical as others, but they’re strong and quick so it’s not as easy as you think to cruise your way through games. You have to be on it from minute one, there’s no easy games.”

Saint Kitts play against Saint Martin tonight (Thursday) in Anguilla and then at home to Aruba four days later.

Sterling-James could face a battle to regain his spot in the Fleet side but representing his country is a major honour.

“The fear of losing my place isn’t one in my head, not because I feel I should be playing when I come back but these are important games,” said Sterling-James.

“To me, in my head, my country comes above just trying to play games in the league. I know it’s a difficult point in the season and if we were a bit closer it might have been a difficult decision for the gaffer to accept me to go or not.

“But as we have that bit of the gap and the schedule works out that I only miss one game, I guess that helps the gaffer to give me his blessing.

“When I signed, I’d just come back from international football so they knew before I signed. Some clubs are happy but others less so.”