MAX Crocombe wants to use a call-up to the New Zealand Under 20 squad as a stepping stone to becoming a full international.

The Oxford United goalkeeper departs on Tuesday ahead of a regional Under 20 World Cup qualifying tournament in Fiji later this month.

With four games in eight days, the Junior All Whites are likely to use both their goalkeepers at some stage.

The Auckland-born stopper cannot wait and is keen to make an impression on the New Zealand set-up.

“It would be amazing to make my debut,” he said.

“Obviously I have lived in England a long time, but my family are over in New Zealand still, so it’s still a big part of me.

“It would be a big honour to play for them and hopefully I can go on to play for the full national team at some stage.”

The winners will go through to the U-20 World Cup in Turkey this summer, and the 19-year-old is desperate to take part.

He said: “If you’re living for your holidays there’s no point being a footballer, hopefully we spend the whole of June in Turkey, which would be lovely.”

Crocombe, who made his first team bow in the 1-1 draw against Burton in January, will miss five U’s games before returning next month.