Matty Smith hopes to "do the country proud" if he is named in England's side for the second Origin international against the Exiles.
The Salford scrum-half was named in national boss Steve McNamara's squad for the midweek game at the Galpharm Stadium after impressing for the England Knights against Ireland.
Smith actually missed the phone call from McNamara to tell him about his selection, leaving him to fear he was going to be in a spot of bother.
Instead the former St Helens player has been given the chance to impress in an England shirt, with the chances of him getting picked improving further with the news Jonny Lomax has pulled out of the squad due to injury.
"I wasn't expecting it at all," Smith said. "I missed Steve's call on Tuesday and, when I saw his number, I thought 'what have I done wrong now?'
"I thought it was maybe something I'd done in camp.
"It's obviously fantastic and I'm made up. Hopefully, I'll get picked in the game and I can do the country proud."
McNamara, who has called up Hull KR hooker Josh Hodgson as a replacement for Lomax, will announce his team on Monday.
Huddersfield's Danny Brough and Smith are likely to form a new-look half-back pairing, with Kevin Sinfield rested and Rangi Chase dropped following his suspension by Castleford for an alleged breach of club discipline.
Smith's selection is reward for a fine campaign with the City Reds under the guidance of head coach Phil Veivers and the legendary Sean Long, who was placed in charge of the team's attack.
"Phil and Longy have been fantastic with me this year," he said. "They've given me the free rein to go out and play the way I want to play.
"It's been fantastic and it's worked this year. I think it probably is the best I've played but I still think there is a lot of improvement in me as well."
Smith's impressive displays for Salford have not gone unnoticed by the rest of the competition, particularly as he is out of contract at the end of the season.
Widnes were interested in securing his signature and there was even the chance to return to St Helens, the club where he started his career.
However, it is widely expected the half-back, who has also enjoyed loan spells at Widnes and Celtic Crusaders in his career, will join Wigan as a replacement for the departing Thomas Leuluai.
"I've yet to sign the contract," Smith said. "My mind is pretty much made up but, until I get the nod from whichever club it is that I'm signing for to release it, I can't really say much.
"I'm in a great position and I couldn't have said that a few months ago. There was no interest at all. Obviously Salford came in and offered me a contract and it went from there.
"All of a sudden, there's loads of clubs chasing you and it's obviously nice as a player to be recognised for how well you're doing."