Albion correspondent Steve Madeley explains why midfielder Graham Dorrans is dreaming of becoming Scotland’s next World Cup hero.

A little part of Graham Dorrans is dreaming of South Africa.

But the Baggies’ newest midfield star admits he can forget all about the World Cup unless he can play catch-up and regain his place for his club.

Dorrans has climbed the international ladder at a rapid rate.

Last season, the former under-21s international caught the eye of national boss Walter Smith enough to earn a call-up for the ‘Tartan Army’s’ second string, prompting talk north of the border of a possible late charge into the World Cup squad, should the nation qualify for the finals.

Yet the man himself insists Albion must come first – with fingers crossed that the rest will take care of itself.

The 22-year-old said: “International football is just a bonus. First and foremost my thoughts are here and trying to get into this team.

“I need to think about securing my place in this team, before I start thinking about anything else.

“I got called up for the B squad last season, but couldn’t go because of injury.”

That call-up proved a short-lived experience for Dorrans, who injured his foot just days after the squad announcement and was forced to withdraw.

But it alerted him and others that he was on Smith’s selection radar.

Despite being unable to press his claims before the international coach, he insists he took the disappointment in his stride.

“It was a blow because that would have been my first ‘B’ cap, but those are the things you have to put up with in football.

“You get injuries and other setbacks, but it’s just something you have to take in your stride and learn from. You just have to take it on the chin.”

For now, Dorrans’ mind is focused on achieving full fitness, after being restricted to work in the gym and occasional outdoor runs during the Baggies’ time in Ptuj.

While he confesses his eternal gratitude for the faith former manager Tony Mowbray showed in him, Dorrans is now keen to work more closely with new head coach Roberto Di Matteo.

The midfielder said: “Working for Tony definitely helped. I was grateful for the chance last season.

“To push on and get into his first-team plans was great. I shocked myself that I got in so quickly.

“I’m very grateful to Tony for giving me that chance and bringing me down in the first place.

“I didn’t want him to leave, but these things happen in football.

“I’ve watched the new gaffer in training and the coaching looks great. He was a top player in his day and a midfielder, so I’m looking forward to learning a lot from him this season.

“When you see people like that you cannot help but be impressed.”

Dorrans is looking forward to lining up alongside Di Matteo rather than against him, after the new boss’s fully-committed displays on the training field in recent days.

The youngster said: “He has been involved in training with one or two two-footed challenge,s so I am looking forward to getting back into training and playing alongside him.

“I hope we’ll be in the same team, with some of the challenges he is putting in!”

Dorrans is also full of praise for the fans, who took him instantly to their hearts last season.

The quiet Scot now feels completely at home in the Midlands after the move south.

He said: “Since I came in and made my debut the fans have been really good to me.

“I thought they were right behind the team last year and did their best to try to help us to stay up.

“I hope they will continue it this season and try to get us back up.

“The move has been great for me. The club sorted me out with a flat before I came down here and the lads have all been great with me.

“There are some great lads in the team and I am enjoying it. Everything is perfect.”