HIGHWORTH’S Jon Else hopes to make another mark on the international stage this month when he turns out for Great Britain at the World University Games.

The midfielder, who recently left Blue Square Premier outfit Forest Green after three years at the New Lawn, is part of the squad that faces Canada, Ghana and Japan in the group stages in the Chinese coastal city of Shenzhen.

A former Chippenham player, 22-year-old Else caught the eye of the GB selectors when playing for the victorious English university side in the Home Nations tournament in Scotland last summer, when he was England’s top scorer on two goals and was also named player of the tournament by the event organisers.

“It’s always good to be able to represent England or Great Britain and I’m really looking forward to it,” revealed Else, who is currently taking a degree in sports business management at Hartpury College in Gloucester.

“I didn’t expect the call-up because it was a different coaching staff to the Home Nations where I did well, but it will be a good step up to represent Great Britain. It will be a test for us to see how we stack up against teams from around the world.”

Else attended a week-long GB training camp at Östersund FK in Sweden as preparation for his trip to the Far East, and he freely admits conditions will be vastly different in Shenzhen.

“It’s going to be difficult with the heat and humidity,” he admitted. “Sweden was very hot but China will be something completely different.

“I don’t think you can prepare yourself to deal with it too much, but they have given us advice regarding rest and recovery, and that will help us.”

Such is Else’s commitment to the beautiful game that he cut his final year of academic study in half in order to fit in his footballing commitments.

But having left Forest Green, he is currently without a club for the 2011/12 season and plans to sort out his future when he returns.

“It’s quite difficult with these trips because I’m going to be missing quite a big chunk of pre-season,” he added.

“A lot of managers don’t want to commit to having you.”

The World University Games is a multi-sport event held every two years that attracts 13,000 athletes from around the globe. Great Britain is taking 220 athletes to compete in 16 sports this time out.

The men’s football team will open their campaign against Canada on Thursday, August 11.