James keen for Capello call

Pompey shot-stopper targets World Cup glory

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 27th December 2007

James David

James: Eyeing England role

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Portsmouth goalkeeper David James is hoping for an England recall under new manager Fabio Capello and insists he will never willingly retire from international football.

James became the first shot-stopper this season to prevent Arsenal from scoring when he kept a clean sheet in the 0-0 draw with The Gunners at Fratton Park on Boxing Day.

And the Pompey No.1 is hoping this type of form will catch the eye of Capello and give him the opportunity to replicate legendary Italian goalkeeper Dino Zoff, who lifted the 1982 World Cup with Italy at the age of 40.

James, 37, is the oldest of England's goalkeeping options, but he is hoping for a new lease of international life under Capello after he was left in the cold by former boss Steve McClaren.

Frustrating

He said: "Hopefully Fabio Capello will do well for England. He is Italian - and didn't Italy win the World Cup with a 40-year-old goalkeeper, Dino Zoff?

"I always want to be involved with England and wouldn't retire from it. If the new manager fancies it then it would be nice to be in the frame.

"It was very frustrating for me under Mr McClaren because I played half a game.

"I wasn't unhappy with my form for my club and wasn't training badly for England so there wasn't an obvious reason for not being involved."