5 minutes with...JERMAINE EASTER

We were lucky enough to catch 5 minutes with Cardiff born hotshot striker Jermaine Easter recently. Jermaine set the footballing world alight last season with an impressive haul of 24 goals, helping his team, Wycombe Wanderers, reach the semi-finals of the Carling Cup (he scored in every round, including goals against premiership opposition Fulham, Charlton and eventual winners Chelsea). Jermaines' impressive performances also caught the eye of Wales manager John Toshack, who called him up to the senior Wales squad for last seasons friendly against Northern Ireland. He is now a regular member of the sqaud and played a significant part in the recent Euro 2008 qualifiers against Republic of Ireland and Germany. Jermaines' rise to the top continued this season with a move to Championship side Plymouth who currently lie 4th.

So Jermaine, what's on your mind today?
I'm hoping that my fantasy football team is doing well. Me and a few of the lads have a bet on our fantasy league and I'm currently lying third in the table. I'm also looking at the Championship table and very happy with Plymouths current position.

Did you always dream of being a professional footballer?
Not really, it was only when I was about 15 years old that I really thought I could make a career out of it.

What do you think you'd be doing now if you didn't 'make it' as a pro?
I'd probably be working within sport, maybe as a personal trainer. I'm also interested in Psychology, so maybe I would have studied that and gone down that route...who knows?

You seem to have made a rapid rise from lower league journeyman to a Welsh international catching the eyes of Premiership managers in only a couple of months, was there a time you thought you'd never get the recognition?
Football definitely is a funny old game and has a lot to do with self belief and confidence. When I was younger, I didn't really have a lot of either and that's a major reason why I didn't achieve the things I have of late sooner. As you grow older you become stronger and with that comes self belief and confidence. I'd definitely say that is why I'm in the position I am now. The abilty was always there, it was just the belief and confidence I needed to express myself that was lacking and I now have that.

Playing, and scoring, against premiership opposition in the Carling Cup last season must have given you a huge confidence boost and desire to test yourself in the top flight?
Without a doubt. Playing in League Two is all well and good but when you get the taste of playing in front of bigger crowds, and against top players, you get the hunger to do that week in week out. That is still very much a burning desire and you need that hunger to achieve more because that's what will push you further.

Were you shocked to get called up to the Wales squad?
Yes very much so, as I was 24 I thought that was it for me. I thought I may have missed the boat but last seasons goals, especially against the Premiership opposition of Fulham and Charlton, brought me to the attention of John Toshack. He then came to watch me in our games against Chelsea in the semi-finals of the Carling Cup and made the decsion to bring me in from there really.

You're now a regular fixture in John Toshacks' squad but did you get star struck at first?
Yes for sure, when I first arrived at the hotel, we all ate together and sat there was Craig Bellamy, Ryan Giggs, Jason Koumas amoung others. I did have a little laugh to myself and thought "What am I doing here?" but that kind of attitude got me nowhere as a youngster. You do need to show the bigger players respect because they deserve it but if you walk around in awe of them you will find yourself out of the squad as quickly as you got in it.

How are you now coping with the fame of being an international footballer, you must get recognised a lot more?
Yes you do, but for me it's no different, it is nice, but in my head I've achieved nothing yet. When you think like that, it helps keep your feet firmly on the ground and you don't get carried away. That's how it should always be, if you're successful or not!

You were born and bred in Cardiff (Jermaine went to Cantonian High School at the same time as Joe Ledley of Cardiff City and Ryan Green of Bristol Rovers), what do you like most about the place?
It's home for me, my family is here, my fiance and her family is here and some old friends. Everytime I come home it always nice because I've been away for so long.

When you scored against Swansea last season, you did the Ayatollah. Do you think it will it be strange playing against Cardiff City for the first time this season?
No not really, I can't wait to honest. Although if I score, the celebrations will be subdued.

What is your favourite restaurant?

It has to be El Puerto's on Penarth Marina.

What is your favourite bar?
Ba Orient in Mermaid Quay.

What is your favourite club?

I like No. 10's in Mill Lane.

Where would you take someone, on their first visit here, to show them what best sums up Cardiff?

I'd take them to Cardiff Bay as there are lots of nice bars and restaurants and it's a nice place to chill.