Downing targets England berth

Midfielder ready to stake claim for Capello's World Cup squad

By Elliot Ball   Last updated: 27th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Downing targets England berth

Downing: England ambitions

Before the last World Cup, I was injured up until February with 20 games to go and I made it so I don't think the manager is too fussed.

Stewart Downing.
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Stewart Downing is hoping his Aston Villa home debut on Saturday will kick-start his campaign to claim a place in England's World Cup squad.

The Villa midfielder made his long-awaited first appearance in Claret and Blue last weekend as he came on to make a substitute appearance in the 1-1 draw at Burnley.

Downing's return ended a miserable seven months for the 25-year-old who suffered a long-term foot injury which ruled him out of former club Middlesbrough's unsuccessful attempt to avoid relegation.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill offered the left-sided wideman a quick Premier League return when he paid Boro £10million for his services, but he has to wait until now to see what his money has brought.

Downing is set to take his bow in front of the Villa faithful against fourth-placed Tottenham and the England international intends to use the Spurs fixture as a springboard to return to the Three Lions fold.

Big year

"That's why I want to get fit and play because it's a big year," Downing said.

"It's a World Cup year and hopefully the manager will think of me and hopefully come and watch and if I can get back to playing again and getting my fitness back and play well then hopefully I'll be in that squad."

Downing has spent almost a third of the 2009/2010 season on the sidelines and in his absence, Villa team-mates Ashley Young and James Milner have staked a claim for a wide berth position while Joe Cole has also returned to full fitness to add further competition.

But the former Boro winger reckons he stands every chance of getting on the plane to South Africa and he does not think his injury nightmare will hinder his chances of travelling with the Three Lions next summer.

"Before the last World Cup, I was injured up until February with 20 games to go and I made it so I don't think the manager is too fussed," he said.

"If I get back to playing well and my team is doing well I'm sure he will still take me."

As for the competition for a places, Downing added: "It's a challenge for us all but I've got to concentrate on myself and getting myself fit and getting in the team."