SWP spurred on by snub

Winger delighted to be back on international scene

Last updated: 8th October 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

SWP spurred on by snub

Wright-Phillips: It's good to be back

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Shaun Wright-Phillips has revealed that a snub from England manager Fabio Capello made him more determined than ever to return to his sparkling best.

The Manchester City winger was included in Capello's first squad and came off the bench to help his boss start his time in charge of England with a victory as he scored the winner in a 2-1 success over Switzerland.

However, Wright-Phillips - who returned to City from Chelsea in August - was overlooked for the opening 2010 World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Croatia.

Theo Walcott's hat-trick heroics in Zagreb led to speculation that Wright-Phillips was surplus to requirements at international level, but the 26-year-old has earned a recall for Saturday's clash with Kazakhstan and the meeting with Belarus four days later.

Respect

And Wright-Phillips has admitted his delight at returning to Capello's plans, telling Sky Sports News: "I am just glad to be back here with the team again.

"I did not think my England career was too far gone to worry about resurrection.

"I am delighted with my club form and I just need to carry it on to the training with England and then put myself in a position to get another call.

"I was disappointed not to have been picked after Mr Capello's first game - but I respected the boss for it and it did some good as it helped kick me into shape because I knew then I had to perform, to get better and better.

"There is a challenge in whatever job you do, and that challenge will always benefit the person."