November 14 2003

Gavin Heeroo

Having finally made his debut as a late substitute on Saturday, Mauritius midfielder Gavin Heeroo is putting his international career on hold to improve his first team chances at Palace, writes Joe O'Shea.

Heeroo, 19, was brought on as substitute in the final minute of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Preston, and was unfortunate not to get a touch before the whistle.

Having been an unused substitute a number of times, including last season at Rotherham when the ball wouldn’t run out of play, Heeroo was delighted to finally take his senior bow.

He said: "I didn’t quite get a touch on Saturday but I have been in the squad numerous times and waited so long, to get on the pitch at Selhurst Park was like a dream come true."

Now the former Chelsea trainee who turned down Aston Villa to join Palace four years ago, is rejecting the chance to play his first competitive international for Mauritius to further his club career.

He has already played for his parents’ native country four times in friendlies since being called up at 17, but has turned down a call-up for Mauritius in their World Cup qualifier against Uganda on Saturday.

He said: "I want to work hard for my chance with Palace. With Steve Kember in the early part of the season, I felt going away with Mauritius jeopardised my chances of making the first team."

A combative central midfielder, the Crouch End teenager nearly did make it to the ground on Saturday, when a car crash and broken down train at Bermondsey saw him seek help from an unlikely source.

He said: "I thought I would never make it, but then I got into a cab and a die hard Millwall supporter made a real effort to get me there for two o’clock."

Having seen fellow trainee Ben Watson make the first team grade last season, Heeroo is anxious to capitalise on any chance he gets.

He said: "I’m really happy for Ben, and having played with him at youth and reserve level, I would love to play alongside him in the first team."