Easter aims to win club move with Wales form

The Wales striker Jermaine Easter has told his club side Wycombe he wants to play at a higher level than the bottom tier of the Football League, and sees his country's two European Championship qualifiers, in Cyprus tomorrow and in San Marino next Wednesday, as putting him in the shop window.

Easter, who has won three caps since coming to the attention of Wales coach John Toshack last season in Wycombe's Carling Cup run, saw a summer move to Championship side Plymouth break down.

"There has been a lot said, but I want to get my head down and let my football do the talking," he said. "I have not fallen out with the manager at Wycombe. I expressed an interest to play at a higher level, and that was it. It makes sense at my age to want to play at a higher level. That is something I am not going to shy away from."

Easter would almost certainly have added to his caps tally had captain Craig Bellamy not made a surprisingly quick recovery from a groin operation. But his hopes may not be completely dashed as Bellamy's fitness will be carefully monitored by Wales' medical team, and Toshack has assured West Ham he will take no risks with the 28-year-old.

"These are big games for everyone here – but for me in particular, because I have not been playing regularly of late," Easter said.

"I want to get back to scoring goals – and I have a better chance of that at the moment on the international scene."