Villa defender Stephen Warnock could be forgiven for dreaming of emulating boyhood hero John Barnes’ wonder-goal against Brazil when England face the samba stars.

But the left-back admits he will happily settle for a chance to pit his wits against the five-time World Cup winners tomorrow’s friendly in Qatar.

An injury to first-choice Ashley Cole has handed the 27-year-old a chance on the left to stake his claim for next summer’s World Cup in South Africa.

It also gives him an opportunity to rid himself of the tag of England’s shortest-ever appearance maker – after making a six-minute appearance in the friendly against Trinidad and Tobago in June last year.

As team-mate James Milner will testify, versatility has become an essential ingredient in the Fabio Capello England era. Fortunately for Warnock, it is something he possesses in abundance having begun his career as a left-sided and central midfielder at Liverpool.

It should come as no surprise then that boyhood Reds fan Warnock counted Barnes as his idol growing up.

The Villa player said: “To be honest I didn’t really play left-back until I was in my second year at Liverpool under Rafael Benitez.

“I was more of a midfielder a left-sided and centre midfielder, so my idol was John Barnes growing up.  There was never really a left-back as such that I looked up to.

“Am I going to try to copy his goal against Brazil? I don’t know about that, I’ll just be happy to get a game and play well!”

Warnock revealed he was ready for his England call-up – because he knew straightaway it was the FA who had texted him having saved the number from last time.

He said: “I got a text message on Sunday night at around 8.15pm. I knew it wasn’t a wind up because I had the number previously from the last squad, so I knew it was genuine, from someone at the FA.

“It just notifies you about your inclusion in the squad for the forthcoming game. I was invited to the get-together recently, hopefully going there and showing my face kept me in Fabio Capello’s thoughts.

“I don’t know if it will be a sunshine break, there has been sunshine but there has been a lot of hard work and lots of training, but it’s something I’m looking enjoying.”

With Chelsea’s Ashley Cole virtually nailed on as England’s first-choice left-back, Warnock will need to dislodge Manchester City’s Wayne Bridge if he is to make Capello’s cut.

The former Blackburn defender insists he is up for the challenge.

He said: “Wayne Bridge is a fantastic player, so I know it’s going to be hard to dislodge him from the squad and get in front of him. It’s a challenge that hopefully I can overcome and try my best.”

The £8million summer signing becomes the latest Villa player to be called up by Capello, following in the footsteps of Ashley Young and James Milner, who both join him in the squad to face Brazil, Luke Young, Gabby Agbonlahor, Emile Heskey and Curtis Davies.

Modest Warnock believes his team-mates deserve a share of the credit for his international recall.

He added: “It’s hard to say whether my form is better than at Blackburn and whether I’ve taken it to another level, because the two teams have very different styles of play.

“You can play with a lot more freedom because you know you’ve got great players in front of you, who can turn a game within seconds and make it look like you’ve done something.

“I’ve been happy with the way things have gone. It’s been made easy for me by all the lads who are here. It’s comfortable to play with them week in, week out.”