Bridge receives call up

Last updated : 07 October 2002 By Christian Kelly

It would be fantastic to see Bridge in the starting line up for England in St. Mary's first England fixture. As the best left back in the country, Bridge will have earned his place in the side. In fact, with the injury to Trevor Sinclair there is even more speculation that Cole will move to the left flank, allowing Bridge to start as left back against Slovakia.

As usual though, Wayne has his feet firmly on the ground as he told the official site: "I do feel part of things now but I never take it for granted and I know I have to keep playing well to stay in the squad.

"It would be absolutely amazing to play in this one. It is a big game for England so if I do play then I know it will be on merit. I would not expect to play just because it would be a home game for me or to please the fans. "That would just make it all the more special if I did come on or even start the match because it would be wonderful to play for England at Southampton.

"I can't say it would be a dream come true because it was something I never even considered for a second as a youngster.

"I always wanted to play for England and that seemed far-fetched enough when I was a kid but it never crossed my mind that it might happen in Southampton.

"At the time Saints only had The Dell which was a lovely stadium in its own way and I loved watching and playing games there. But of course it would have been totally unsuitable for a full international.

"At most I might have dreamed of playing for the Under 21's there but never the full side. But that has all changed with the new stadium and the club have done remarkably well to get a full international so soon after moving in."

Squad: Seaman (Arsenal), James (West Ham), Robinson (Leeds); Mills (Leeds), Ashley Cole (Arsenal), G Neville (Man Utd), Bridge (Southampton), Southgate (Middlesbrough), Woodgate (Leeds), Campbell (Arsenal), Ehiogu (Middlesbrough); Beckham (Man Utd), Butt (Man Utd), Dyer (Newcastle),Thompson (Blackburn), Gerrard (Liverpool), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Lampard (Chelsea), Scholes (Man Utd); Owen (Liverpool), Heskey (Liverpool), Smith (Leeds), Vassell (Aston Villa).