Stephen Warnock’s World Cup final
Wednesday 26th May 2010, 2:00PM BST.
Villa defender Stephen Warnock is hoping for one final chance to seize a World Cup spot with England – but is fearing the worst.
The left back is competing with Everton’s Leighton Baines for the job of under-studying Ashley Cole in Fabio Capello’s final squad of 23.
But Baines has been preferred by Capello since the regular second-choice left back Wayne Bridge threw the position into turmoil by pulling out of the tournament in the after-spill of the John Terry episode.
Warnock now has one final friendly against Japan in Graz this weekend, before Capello brings the current 30-strong squad down for South Africa and the Villa man is desperate for a chance to play.
He said: “I knew it was gonig to be difficult, because ‘Bainesy’ has done well but that’s all part and parcel of it.
“It’s been good, it’s been really exciting, I think the lads are looking forward to the World Cup, as the training’s been sharp and enjoyable.
“I’ve been training every day with everyone and been part of it, but it just wasn’t to be the other night.
“I know it’s going to be difficult. But I think everyone’s in with a shout and you’ve got to be optimistic. You just never know.
“What’s the manager said to me? He hasn’t said anything. I think you just know that you’re in his plans, you’re in the 30 and it’s good to be involved.
“I probably wasn’t expecting to be in there, if I’m looking at it from the last game with ‘Bainesy’ playing against Egypt I thought it would be difficult to get in the squad.
“I think there’s probably a few surprises who are in the squad.”
But Warnock admitted that he had to figure against Japan to stand any chance of boarding the World Cup plane.
He added: “You just need to try to get on the pitch to show what you can do but we’ll just wait and see what happens at the weekend.”
UK Sport
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