Joleon Lescott is hoping to head off to South Africa this summer after helping Man City to a top-four finish.
City defender targets top-four finish and a trip to the World Cup
Joleon Lescott is hoping to head off to South Africa this summer after helping Manchester City to a top-four finish in the Premier League.
The centre-half has been a regular in the England fold under Fabio Capello and is tipped to be among those included in the Italian's World Cup squad.
He has had to overcome a niggling knee problem and a slight dip in form this season, following a big-money move from Everton last summer, but appears to have finally found his feet at Eastlands.
Lescott is determined to be a commanding presence for the Blues as they chase a place at European football's top table, and hopes such performances will help him to catch Capello's eye and convince the Three Lions coach of his value to the national side.
"No-one enjoys being on the bench, whether for your country or your club," he told City's
official website, reflecting on his recent substitute role for England's friendly date with Egypt.
"If you do, then you deserve to be there. I was disappointed, but I didn't go there expecting to play.
"I know I've got to progress and improve at club level then hopefully when an opportunity comes, I can do a job. But I'm pleased with the way things are going since I came back.
"This is a massive opportunity for us at City and for me as an international - hopefully we can continue our form, get fourth place, and I can go off to South Africa with the England squad."
Progress
Capello currently favours Rio Ferdinand and John Terry at the heart of his back four, but Lescott is refusing to give up on his dream of securing a starting berth in the not too distant future.
He said: "He obviously thinks I'm in the top 24 players in the country, so you've got to be pleased to a certain extent.
"But again, if you're there, you want to be playing. I'm no different to any other player in that respect.
"You get picked at international level on your club form, so that's going to be a massive part of the run-in.
"If we can progress and get to the Champions League, then I'm sure that can only help me."
