James Maddison's time as England's forgotten man ended when it mattered most, his prolonged outstanding form jogging the memory of manager Gareth Southgate just in time for inclusion in the squad for the World Cup in Qatar.
The 25-year-old Leicester City midfielder played his only 34 minutes of senior international football against Montenegro back in the pre-pandemic days of November 2019.
Since then, nothing - and it appeared even Maddison himself was braced for the disappointment of World Cup omission.
Yet just like much of his outstanding work in Leicester's midfield this season, Maddison has timed his run perfectly - and the biggest question surrounding Southgate's squad announcement was answered with his inclusion.