Fit-again full-back Micah Richards wants to force himself back into England contention after overcoming his knee-injury nightmare.
The explosive Manchester City right-back surprisingly missed out on Euro 2012 selection in the summer and then missed most of this season due to injuries.
But having played 90 minutes in the Blues defeat of West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday, Richards is targeting a spot at the 2014 World Cup.
“I feel I am good enough to be around that set-up,” he said. “It is about being given a chance.
“Hopefully next season I will be injury-free and I can show everyone what I can do.
“It’s a big challenge and it’s a World Cup year. Every Englishman wants to be there.
“I look at my competition and, in all honesty, I don’t see players better than me.”
The 24-year-old has 13 international caps to his name since making his debut aged just 18 in 2006 but has struggled to command a regular place in the side.
England boss Roy Hodgson preferred Liverpool’s Glen Johnson and Tottenham Hotspur’s Kyle Walker for Euro 2012 to the surprise of many pundits.
And amid reports Richards refused to go on standby, Liverpool’s Martin Kelly was preferred when Walker withdrew with injury.
“He (Hodgson) had a hard decision to make in the summer when Johnson was playing fantastic,” Richards said.
“I was a little bit surprised when Kyle Walker didn’t go injured and I didn’t get the call. I was on standby.
“But that’s how it goes. I can only prove them wrong by playing well and I have got to be playing in this team (City) before I can think about England. I have to take it one step at a time.”
Richards was instead selected as one of three over-age players in former City boss Stuart Pearce’s Olympics squad but suffered an ankle injury in the quarter-final defeat to South Korea.
He returned in October, helping City keep their first clean sheet of the season, but suffered a knee injury later in the month which ruled him out for six months.
Despite returning to fitness he does not expect to play any part in Saturday’s FA Cup final however.
He said: “I’ve not played any part in the FA Cup this season, so to play or even be on the bench I think would be harsh on the lads who have worked hard this season to get there.”
Image courtesy of mcfcofficial, via YouTube, with thanks.
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