PAUL Mullin believes an England selection would be the perfect way to cap a successful season.

The 32-year-old received his first call-up to the National Game XI squad for their Four Nations Tournament at the end of the month, along with Reds midfielder Ian Craney and winger Gary Roberts.

And while the initial 35-man squad will be whittled down to 18 by manager Paul Fairclough closer to the tournament, which will take place in Sussex, Mullin is delighted at the recognition after ending the season just short of his 20-goal target.

"It tops off a nice season," he said.

"It would be nice to get a cap - even if I just get on for two minutes.

"But I haven't made the 18-man squad yet so I'll have to wait and see what happens with that.

"If I was to get a chance though, after the way the season has gone in winning the league, it would just top it off nicely."

He added: "I thought it was a wind-up when Ian told me about the call-up to be honest.

"He'd mentioned the possibility a couple of times and the gaffer has spoken to the scouts as well.

"They said they liked me so I thought I might get a chance.

"I was on the reserve list last year but was on my holidays so I couldn't have made it.

"But a bit of recognition at 32 I suppose isn't too bad."

If short-listed, 19-goal Mullin will be keeping his fingers that a troublesome neck injury that kept him out of last month's trip to Forest Green Rovers doesn't thwart his chances of making an appearance in the tournament.

"I'd want to play (for England) but I don't want to start next season with a problem, so I'll just have to see nearer the time if I'm selected," he said.

Meanwhile, Mullin has said an Accrington Stanley union with younger brother John at Accrington is unlikely.

The Rotherham midfielder is out of contract at the end of this season but Reds striker Mullin says the timing might not be right for him to be added to the Stanley squad.

"You can never say never, but I think he would want to stay in League One if he can," said Mullin.

"It would be great to play together at some stage because it's something we haven't done for a long, long time.

"I think it was in a trial reserve game at Burnley about eight years ago.

"But I'm not sure it will happen yet. I suppose it would depend on what offers he gets in the summer."

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