Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin has set his sights on a call-up to the France team.
Pompey defender wants international chance
Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin has set his sights on a call-up to the France team.
Distin has not played for Les Bleus at any level but has started the season impressively at Fratton Park.
And the centre-back feels that if he continues to perform well over the next few weeks, France coach Raymond Domench should consider him for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Faroe Islands and Lithuania in October.
"It is always great for a player to play for his country and of course I want to play for France," he said.
"I have not done that so far but it is still my ambition. I have dealt most of my career in results and I am happy with the choices I have made in England.
"I will work for Portsmouth and if you get good results, maybe it will attract a little bit more attention on our club, which will also help me."
Distin, 29, has been encouraged by Domenech's readiness to select players in their thirties.
He said: "I see some players who are 30 and go into the national squad for the first time, which makes me feel it is not over.
"It is every player's dream to appear at a major tournament for their country and I would love to be a part of Euro 2008."
Redknapp support
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has backed Distin's desire for international recognition.
"Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin are as good as any central defensive pair in the country," he said.
"John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho are fantastic, Rio Ferdinand and the big Serbian Nemanja Vidic are outstanding.
"But Campbell and Distin would be right up there with the best of them. Sylvain has been a great signing for us."
