Lennon eyes England return

Winger determined to impress Capello

Last updated: 24th November 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Lennon eyes England return

Lennon: England aim

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Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon has set his sights on winning his place back in the England squad.

Lennon won the last of his nine caps 18 months ago in the victory over Andorra that saw England fans turn on their own team.

The former Leeds player has since been in the Under 21s under the guidance of Stuart Pearce, who is part of Fabio Capello's coaching staff and has provided the England boss with the likes of Theo Walcott this season.

Lennon enhanced his chances of winning a recall under Capello after putting in a man-of-the-match performance in Sunday's 1-0 win over Blackburn with Spurs boss Harry Redknapp backing his bid to return to the international fold.

The 21-year-old has revealed he has been given encouragement from Pearce that he is in Capello's plans.

"I have been back with the under-21s this season and the coach, Stuart Pearce, tells me that I have to keep playing my own game, and that my chance will come," Lennon said.

Not nice

"It has not been nice to be out of the England squad. Having a taste of it in the 2006 World Cup was great, so my aim is definitely to get involved again."

Lennon knows he is well down the pecking order for the right-sided role in Capello's side with Walcott, David Beckham, Shaun Wright-Phillips and David Bentley all battling for a place.

"I was happy to see Theo doing well, but [his emergence] was another step back for me, and there are still quite a few players in front of me in the set-up," added Lennon.