Prolific striker Teerasil Dangda has reiterated that he is nursing an injury but has joined the national training camp with an intention to be a part of the Thai squad which will take on the United Arab Emirates in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night.
Teerasil's comments have come at a time when three of his SCG Muang Thong United teammates have been widely criticised for pulling out of the national team, citing varying medical reasons.
The three Kirins stars who have declined to join the national team are midfielder Chanathip Songkrasin and experienced full-backs Theerathon Bunmathan and Tristan Do.
According to Muang Thong medical team, Chanathip has a hip injury, Theerathon has an inflamed impacted tooth and Tristan is suffering from flu.
Teerasil, who is the captain of Muang Thong United, has joined the national training camp at Kiarti Thanee Country Club while carrying an injury, forcing new War Elephants coach Milovan Rajevac to recall Adisak Kraisorn, also from Muang Thong, as a possible replacement.
For Tuesday night's clash at Bangkok's Rajamangala National Stadium, Teerasil, who skippered Thailand to triumph in December's Suzuki Cup, has left the ball in Rajevac's court.
The striker said: "Of course, I still have an injury but it doesn't mean that I cannot train or play. I have decided to be a part of the national team training camp. Whether I have a role to play in the match against the UAE is for the coach to decide.
"I am like all the other players here. We are all in fact probables and serve as choices for the coach. It is the coach's job to decide who he wants to use and how.
"So far, I have not discussed my injury with the coach but I believe the team doctor must have had a word with him.
"Everyone wants to play for the national team but only the best should take the field. If I am not fully fit, the coach has other players to choose from.
"Of course, I want to help the team. I don't know for how long I will be able to play for the national team. I am happy to see my name in the national team. I will keep giving my best for the country for as long as I can."
Yesterday, Rajevac led the team in morning and evening training sessions with Adisak joining both.
Meanwhile, Rajevac insisted yesterday that the only reason for dropping Teerathep Winothai from the team was the striker's age.
Teerathep, 32, was a part of the Thai squad which lost 2-0 to Uzbekistan in a friendly in Tashkent earlier this week. He came on as substitute and had an impressive run in the match.
Rajevac said: "Teerathep has been performing very well for Bangkok United and that is why we called him to join the national team. While training with the team, he had good concentration and also served as a good link between the players and the coaching staff.
"But as I have said earlier, we want to give an opportunity to the new faces, especially in the attack where we have very limited options because most of the Thai League 1 teams rely on foreign strikers.
"Teerathep's future is not over yet and the door for the national team is still open for him. If he keeps performing well for his club, we are ready to make him a part of the national team again in the future."