Mark Harris admits his and Rubin Colwill's inclusion in Wales' World Cup squad is "huge" for Cardiff City.
The striker arrived in Qatar with his fellow team-mates on Wednesday morning and will be bidding to be included in Wales' matchday squad for their tournament opener against the United States of America on Monday.
Harris has revealed club boss Mark Hudson, who will now take charge of the Bluebirds for the remainder of the current campaign, was among the first people to congratulate him on his inclusion in the history-making squad.
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"I think he [Hudson] came out and said as soon as the squad came out he sent a text message," he said. "I was chuffed at that and he was just saying how proud he was of me and Rubin [Colwill] and 'go there and do us and yourself proud'. It's huge for Cardiff and huge for me and my family."
Meanwhile, Harris also delved into the details of the phone call from Rob Page which left him with an anxious wait ahead of the World Cup squad announcement. Just days after watching Harris in Championship action for the Bluebirds, boss Page was planning to call the Football Association of Wales' head of football operations Mark Evans. However, he phoned striker Harris by mistake and immediately hung up.
The 23-year-old admits he subsequently had huge reservations over whether or not he would be on the plane to Doha.
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"Basically I was in training with Cardiff, I went up to the canteen, we're not allowed phones in the canteen so I came back downstairs," explained Harris. "I had a missed call off Rob Page. Instantly I was just thinking the worst and I thought I hadn't made it. I rung him back almost instantly, he didn't answer so then we had a meeting and I was sat there gutted thinking I hadn't made it.
"Straight after the meeting I ran back downstairs and I had a WhatsApp from him saying 'sorry mate, didn't mean to ring you, see you soon'. So I still didn't actually know from the 'see you soon'. I was thinking 'maybe, maybe not'. I officially found out just a few hours before it came out on TV. I was relieved. I can't put into words how I felt then."
Harris has netted three times in 22 appearances for Cardiff in all competitions so far this term.
Wales begin their tournament against the USA on Monday, November 21. Kick-off is at 7pm (UK time).
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