Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard admits his call-up to the England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Croatia is "surreal".

Bullard suffered a career-threatening knee injury in September 2006 and only returned to action in January 2008.

"To finally get the call is a dream come true, a great honour and a bit surreal," Bullard, 29, told BBC 5 Live.

"I had a lot of dark times and I thought I might even need to hang my boots up."

The uncapped Bullard was the most surprising name in Fabio Capello's squad for England's upcoming World Cup qualifiers, the first of which, against Andorra, takes place in Barcelona on Saturday.

However Bullard, who was instrumental in keeping Fulham in the Premier League last season, said he would not be overawed if called into action by Capello.

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"I'll give it my best shot if I'm called upon," said Bullard, who started his career with non-league side Gravesend & Northfleet before signing for West Ham for �30,000 in 1999.

"I remember it like it was yesterday, playing for Gravesend and Northfleet, earning �60 a week.

"It's been a long way round and to finally get a call-up by your country is great. It's a great feeling to be playing alongside the world's best.

"I'm not daunted or nervous. I'm most comfortable when I'm on the pitch playing football and I'll answer all the questions when I'm called upon."

Bullard added that his belief had never wavered during his 16 months on the sidelines, although he conceded that playing again "doesn't seem real" at times.

"I've always had the belief and I owe my dad a lot for that," said Bullard. "He always said, 'always play your best, you never know who's watching'.

"It seems like yesterday I was in the gym at the Fulham training ground watching my team-mates train outside, but I finally got through it. I owe my doctor [Richard Steadman] so much - what a man."