Fulham on-loan goalkeeper Tony Warner could do what he thought was impossible at the start of this season – play at the World Cup.

Trinidad and Tobago, who qualified for the finals after beating Bahrain in the play-offs, have formally asked FIFA to clear Warner to play for them which would mark an astonishing turn-around for the former Liverpool stopper.

At the start of the season, Warner wasn’t getting a game for Championship side Cardiff but, following an injury to Mark Crossley, Fulham boss Chris Coleman brought Warner to Craven Cottage on loan and he has impressed whenever he has been called upon.

FIFA have already ruled Jlloyd Samuel can’t play for Trinidad, having already represented England at Under-21 level, but the Caribbean country have enquired about the possibility of West Ham’s Bobby Zamora playing for them despite his prior England U21 caps.

Warner’s case is more straightforward as he has not represented England at any level so, providing he can prove his ancestry, he could be going to the World Cup.

Trinidad’s special advisor Jack Warner told Sky Sports: “We have not closed the door to any player and I can tell you we have gone to FIFA and requested permission to allow Bobby Zamora and Anthony Warner to play for us while we have appealed the decision against Jlloyd Samuel.”