Whilst the majority of his team-mates will be counting down the days until they can jet off to sunnier climes and can begin to celebrate the achievements of a wonderful campaign in earnest, defender Steven Saunders will be only too happy to see his season extended beyond Motherwell's final match against Dundee Utd on 13th May following his inclusion in the Scotland U21 squad to face Bulgaria.
Having suffered an achilles injury on Scotland U21 duty in August 2011 against Norway in Paisley, the former Queen's Park player was expected to be out for the remainder of the season. Setting himself a target of regaining full fitness in time to start the 2012'13 campaign the versatile defender made remarkable progress and returned to the first team squad in April where he was called upon for the last few minutes to help the Steelmen, by then reduced to ten men, secure a 1-1 draw with Hibernian.
Saunders will meet up with his U21 team-mates on 20th May for a training camp prior to the match in Bulgaria on 31st May.
The Rutherglen born player is no stranger to international football having represented his country at U19 and U21 level and ofcourse at full level having come on as a substitute in a 3-0 win over the Faroe Islands in November 2010, however Billy Stark's decision to include the defender in his squad for such an important fixture given his lack of football demonstrates just how highly regarded the young 'Well defender is.