Wigan manager Roberto Martinez believes Victor Moses’ first taste of senior international football will also benefit the club.
The 21-year-old made his debut for Nigeria, the country of his birth, as a second-half substitute in the goalless draw with Rwanda on Wednesday.
His international allegiance had been in doubt for some time as he had previously represented England up to Under-21 level.
But now his decision has been made, Martinez hopes it will have a positive impact on the player and the team.
“For a long time I knew it was a big decision for him and now he can concentrate on what he has to do rather than what he would like or was dreaming to do,” said the Latics boss.
“Now he has been able to make that decision where to play his international career and that is important as it has settled him as a human being.
“Victor was really focused on finding a role and being himself in the Premier League and our club and now he has done that and feels very happy with what he is doing.
“It doesn’t matter who you are, if you have issues and you don’t know where you are it does affect your career.
“Now he is ready to just fight for his place for Wigan and Nigeria with no doubts in his head which can unsettle him and that is important.”
Although Moses only played 28 minutes, Martinez is confident a sustained international experience will only enhance the winger as a person and a player.
“It is a real contrast of styles for a start and for a young player that is going to give them a great freedom,” said the Spaniard.
“Sometimes as a player you can be a little bit closed into one way of playing.
“He had a completely different role against Rwanda and as a young player that opens your mind and it will help Victor to develop, especially tactically and understanding the tempos of the game.
“He has to take advantage every time he plays. When you start you are just assessing it but after 15-20 games at international level you understand different ways to play.
“That is going to help him as a player and if he does that he is going to help us because we are going to have a stronger individual.
“It has been a big season for Victor. We had a young man and now he is a proper adult.
“In football terms he is starting to be very experienced.”
A midweek international fixture causes all kinds of logistical problems for managers and Martinez was no different as he only had Paraguay international Antolin Alcaraz and Honduras defender Maynor Figueroa back from South America on Friday afternoon.
“It is a very rare situation where the boys have international commitments in between two Premier League fixtures,” he said.
“It is not ideal but I do think the football authorities should look into it.
“I support players in representing their countries and I understand it is difficult for an international manager to get the group together.
“But we have to be fair to the athletes and to play three games in a week — including a 14-hour flight — is not realistic.”
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