Eastbourne Borough assistant manager Nick Greenwood has praised Darren Budd for putting club before country.
Budd, pictured, was due to play for England in the KL World Fives Futsal tournament in Kuala Lumpar this week but chose to pull out to boost Borough's promotion challenge.
The tournament in Malaysia attracts a global television audience of 310 million but playing in it would have meant the former Albion trainee missing last Saturday's 6-0 win over Basingstoke and tomorrow's trip to Bishop's Stortford.
Budd, who has 18 England caps, has found opportunities limited since his move from Bognor in October but has started the last four league matches due to Matt Smart's injury.
Greenwood said: "It is fantastic for us because Darren is a massive part of what we are trying to achieve.
"The decision was totally down to him - we didn't put him under any pressure. England's loss is definitely our gain because he has been playing very well recently.
"Darren has had to be patient since he joined us but now he has got an opportunity he is determined to make the most of it. Turning down the chance to represent your country shows how much it means to him to play for Borough."
Budd looks set to continue in central midfield tomorrow with Smart still struggling with a groin problem but Allan Tait and Ben Austin are ba
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