Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson received his first England call-up for the fixtures against the USA and Croatia.
Six years ago, while at Coventry, he played three games on loan in the Conference for Tamworth, scoring once.
"It was a bit surreal and put football into perspective," Wilson told the 'BBC'.
"You turn up for a team like that [Tamworth] and players are coming in in their work overalls and work vans, coming from a painting job that they had just finished.
"It showed me that I did not want to be at that level throughout my career. I wanted to make more of myself.
"It gave me the hunger and desire to impress my club manager at the time and then eventually go back to my home club and play."
Wilson has overcome injury and adversary in an incredible story as he looks set to be handed an international debut by Gareth Southgate.
"When I first did my anterior cruciate ligament, Alan Shearer texted me - a legend - so to receive a text from him, I was in shock at the time.
"Before the injury, he gave me a bit of stick on Match of the Day for missing a few chances but that is what he is there for and he has been very supportive.
"He congratulated me, wished me well and told me not to score too many against Newcastle, which unfortunately I did."
During the rehabilitation of his second knee injury, Wilson spent time in Qatar, as well as the USA, where he went to see reconditioning specialist Bill Knowles.
Wilson added: "When I had my second injury, he [Knowles] was the guy I went to to get me back into the running phase. We did a lot of sprint work and spent two weeks with him.
"I actually missed the birth of my second child being out there, so that shows the sacrifices I made to get to this point."