Cahill eyes South Africa spot

17 October 2009 13:21
Gary Cahill has targeted a place in England's World Cup squad ahead of Bolton's clash with Manchester United. The Trotters defender has caught the eye of Three Lions boss Fabio Capello this season having been called up to the last three squads following a string of impressive performances at club level. Cahill travels with the Bolton squad to Old Trafford to take on United on Saturday in a game which sees England centre-back Rio Ferdinand come up against a potential rival for a starting berth in Capello's XI next year. And the Trotters stopper has spoken of his desire to earn his first cap for the national team. "A few months ago, South Africa was not even on my mind," Cahill said in the Daily Express. "Then, when I was called up to the long squad, the next step was that when somebody was injured I knew I was going to get the call. "Now I am there, I want to get my first cap - get on the pitch. If you get that chance, you either take it or you don't. But I'd like to show I deserve that opportunity." Cahill has revealed he has learned from the likes of Ferdinand and John Terry during his time in the England set-up and he is keen to showcase his abilities against the Red Devils this weekend. "Maybe these games are the ones people look at to see if I am good enough and we will have to wait and see. "People will obviously compare (me with Ferdinand) but he is an experienced player and I can take stuff away from training with him."

Source: SKY_Sports