St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson believes international football is a logical step for Andy Dorman after the Wales prospect "captured the imagination" of the Buddies fans.

Chester-born Dorman became eligible for Wales last month under the new five-year school rule and is thought to be on the verge of a call-up for next Saturday's friendly against Scotland.

Dorman, who moved to Wales when he was one and has represented the country's under-18 schoolboy team, has been a revelation since moving to Paisley in January 2008.

The midfielder has scored 19 goals since joining from New England Revolution, where he was a key player after moving to the USA on a football scholarship as a teenager.

Dorman was watched by Wales assistant manager Roy Evans as he gave former France Under-21 captain Yassin Moutaouakil a difficult afternoon during the recent 3-3 Clydesdale Bank Premier League draw against Motherwell.

And MacPherson believes Dorman can further improve if he is included when Toshack names his squad on Friday.

"I would be delighted for him because he took a chance when he came into British football to come to St Mirren," the Saints boss said.

"He had a trial period at Norwich that didn't work out. He got the opportunity to come here and show what he is capable of doing and has captured the imagination of a lot of people.

"Since he became eligible for Wales, there has been a lot of administrative stuff going on behind the scenes.

"In that time, Roy Evans came up and had a watch and he played very well against Motherwell, scored a goal, so I'm sure he would have gone back with favourable reports to John Toshack."

MacPherson, whose side face Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday, added: "It would be good for him and give him another boost confidence-wise to go into that environment and show he is capable of doing it at that level.

"The type of character he is, it would only bring more out of him and give him more confidence. I think it would do him a world of good and add to his education.

"He's 27, came out of the MLS with a good CV as a goalscoring midfielder, and has continued that in the SPL.

"The next stage is to see if he can do it at international level."

Dorman, whose fellow former pupils at Hawarden High School in north Wales include Gary Speed and Michael Owen, considers himself Welsh and has previously spoken of his desire to play for the country.

But he has been reluctant to talk too much about the prospect since the change in rules - which allow players to represent a country if they had five years of schooling there - made his dream a reality.

However, he feels he is in good shape if Toshack was to include him for the Cardiff friendly on November 14.

"I've not heard anything," Dorman said. "I don't really want to talk about it too much.

"I've just been trying to do well for St Mirren. I've been enjoying my football over the last month and a half. We've been playing some good stuff.

"I'm pretty happy with my form; I'm starting to hit full stride."