Shay Given is hoping that trophy glory with Newcastle United will keep a smile on his face this summer.
The Toon keeper is not looking forward to watching next summer's World Cup back home while the battle rages for football's biggest prize.
The Republic of Ireland No 1 returned to Tyneside today after United's training week in Marbella feeling refreshed and wanting to keep up his side's solid form.
Given admitted he was 'devastated' not to be in international action over the Premiership's break in play but feels that failure to qualify for next summer's World Cup in Germany has only made him even hungrier for success on the domestic front with Newcastle.
Given said: "It is a huge kick in the teeth that we have not qualified and I know it will be even worse next summer when the rest of the teams are getting ready to go and play in Germany.
"I think it is going to be a long summer.
"It would be sweetened if I could get my hands on some silverware with Newcastle.
"I have said that from day one when I arrived at the club.
"To win a trophy at the end of the season would without a shadow of a doubt soften the blow at the end of the season."
But while several of his club colleagues have been away representing their countries in World Cup play-offs or friendlies since United's last game against Birmingham, Given has been reflecting on Eire's disappointing qualifying campaign which left them without a game or a manager after former manager Brian Kerr's sacking.
Given added: "This has been time away from international duty for me and it is quite unusual because we have not had a friendly or the play-offs to look forward to during the break from the Premiership.
"For me it has been a chance to take stock and re-charge the batteries a little bit.
"It is actually a bit strange not to have a game for two weeks and I am not used to it but hopefully I can use that as a positive.
"I am devastated not to be going to the World Cup because I had such a great time in Japan and Korea last time around.
"It is not just gutting for me, it is the same for the rest of the players and the supporters.
"The players are fans as well and they want the country to be in the big tournaments."
Meanwhile United's other stars on international duty enjoyed a mixed weekend.
For while Michael Owen was seeing off Argentina with England in Geneva, his manager Graeme Souness was in the stands in Berne alongside suspended star Emre, who will now have his work cut out in the second leg of Turkey's World Cup play-off with Switzerland after a 2-0 first-leg loss.
Elsewhere on the friendly front French defender Jean-Alain Boumsong played the full game as Germany held his side to a 0-0 draw in Paris, while Amady Faye was in action during Senegal's 3-2 win in South Africa.
