Shrewsbury Town goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler targeting golden summer

The Swiss-born shot-stopper sampled his first taste of senior international football recently when the call came from Canada to be part of the squad's trip to South Korea, where they played a friendly.

Having picked up a number of junior caps for Switzerland's youth sides, the 27-year-old – born in the western city of Neuchatel – was never considered for the Swiss senior outfit and instead decided to switch allegiances to Canada, who he qualifies for through his grandfather.

Leutwiler, who is expected to keep his place in between the posts for tomorrow's FA Cup visit of Fleetwood, featured as a second-half substitute for The Canucks, who lost 2-0 to their hosts, with both goals coming in the first period.

The whole adventure was an experience not lost on the former FC Basel trainee, who was delighted to soak up every ounce of the experience.

But beyond involvement in a friendly, Leutwiler is keen to stake his claim for a taste of competitive action.

"It was a very good experience and I really enjoyed the week there," he said. "It was a long journey to get there but a great moment for me and my family, a very proud moment.

" I was very excited when I arrived but it's very tough to get into the time changes. But it was very enjoyable.

"The future is the Gold Cup in June in America. And, obviously, afterwards the qualifications for the World Cup in Qatar – they're the two big things coming up for this country.

"I hope it's the first of many (caps) and what will happen happens. I just wanted to enjoy the week. It was just great. I've had the experience with Switzerland (youth team) where you don't really know anyone. You just go and it's football, the world is very small and you talk to people and they know this player and that player."

While the Canada squad isn't littered with household names, Cardiff's Junior Hoilett and Walsall forward Simeon Jackson are team-mates, Leutwiler was delighted to touch base with players from all around the globe.

"There's Milan Borjan, who plays in goal for Ludogorets who're playing Champions League football," added the keeper. "Simon Thomas plays in Norway. They all play in top leagues. It's great, I try and catch experiences from them and move forward."

For now, Leutwiler's main focus is keeping his place in the Town team. He was kept out of the Town team on his return from international duty by Mark Halstead, who enjoyed a memorable display at Sheffield United.

But he has since returned to the first-team and kept a clean sheet against Port Vale last weekend.

"The manager came to me and told me he'd stick with Mark," Leutwiler added.

"He's said to us from the first training session that no-one's place is guaranteed. Everyone's had the chance to do well and that is what he did."

On Fleetwood, he added: "We want to win every game. It was a over a week ago we lost there but it doesn't matter who comes, it's important to get a win."