Nicky Southall and Andy Hessenthaler board the plane for England duty on Friday.

The former Gillingham favourites are representing their country at the Seniors World Cup in Thailand.

They have former Everton star Peter Beagrie and Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth for company.

England go into the tournament as holders, with Ainsworth scoring in the final two years ago.

Southall, 44, was approached to play on Twitter.

He said: “A guy sent me a message to see if I’d be interested. I’m looking forward to wearing the Three Lions and hearing the national anthem. I almost can’t believe it.

“I’ve never been to Thailand before, so it’s somewhere new, and we’ll be coaching kids while we’re out there, too. It’s going to be good. It’s a privilege to be selected.”

Southall has kept himself in shape, playing non-league football into his 40s and turning out for Maidstone in the Ryman under-21 league two seasons ago.