Gareth Barry admits he has a battle on his hands to win back his England spot following their win over Wales.
City midfielder keen to regain England spot
Gareth Barry admits he has a battle on his hands to win back his England spot following their 2-0 Euro 2012 qualifying win over Wales.
The Manchester City man was not even on the substitutes' bench as England claimed all three points at the Millennium Stadium thanks to goals from Frank Lampard and Darren Bent.
Barry has been one of England's mainstays in recent years, although the emergence of Jack Wilshere and impressive display of Scott Parker on Saturday means he is no longer first choice.
Liverpool's Steven Gerrard is also working his way back to full fitness and Barry admits it has been a shock to the system to suddenly find himself on the outside looking in.
However, the vastly-experienced campaigner, who will captain England against Ghana on Tuesday, is ready to get his head down once again and force his way into Fabio Capello's thoughts.
Disappointing
"I'm not looking on being made captain as softening the blow after not being involved at the weekend," said Barry.
"I'm not trying to look at it that way at all. Saturday was disappointing for me, not to be involved at all.
"But that is football and how things can change so quickly. One day you are not involved and a few days later you are being asked to lead your country out at Wembley.
"I'm more experienced now and, although disappointed at the weekend, you learn to deal with things like that in a better way.
"It is always going to be a tough ask to keep a place in the England side for so long. I've been lucky enough to play a lot of games.
"But the central midfield spot at the moment seems really hot, with Jack Wilshere bursting through and Scott Parker playing well and Frank and Steve having been there for so long.
"It is a tough place but I've learnt about being out of the team before, I didn't play for a number of years at one stage.
"But you have to keep working hard and waiting for your chance to come. That's what I'll do."
