NATURALISED player Junior Eldstal is eager to don national colours again.
Eldstal, who is of Swedish-Malaysian parentage, said settling into national coach Tan Cheng Hoe's setup will not be difficult as he knows most of the players in the training squad.
The 29-year-old last played for Harimau Malaya in the 1-1 draw against Fiji in a friendly match in 2016.
Among his teammates in the team, then coached by Ong Kim Swee, were goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, Fadhli Shas, Aidil Zafuan Radzak, Fazly Mazlan, S. Kunanlan, Brendan Gan, Amirul Hadi Zainal, S Chanthuru, C. Jayaselan and Amri Yahyah.
Eldstal now plays for Thai side Chonburi FC, who were finallists in the FA Cup, which the Malaysian did not play.
His only concern is fitness when he reports for centralised training with the national team on May 16.
"It will be exciting to step out on the pitch again with the boys, who I had played with before. I know many of them, so settling in will not be hard," said Eldstal.
"The only thing I am concerned about is my fitness as the Thai League has completed its season."
Eldstal were not among the Harimau Malaya players who received their first Covid-19 jabs recently.
The other trainees who have not been vaccinated are Newcastle Jets' Liridon Krasniqi, Police Tero FC's Dominic Tan and KV Kortrijk's Luqman Hakim Shamsudin.
"I will join the national team in Dubai. With the travel complications due to Covid-19, this arrangement makes sense."
Eldstal will continue plying his trade in Thailand as his contract with Chonburi has been extended.
"Yes, we were going back and forth for a month before the contract was finalised. There were other offers, but this one felt right.
"It is a great club. They gave me the opportunity when no one else did. This team deserve to be back on top, and I want to play a big part in that.
"The coach (Sasom Pobprasert) has shown great faith in me, and I have a great relationship with my teammates. I am looking forward to the pre-season."