Dawson ready to fight for his place

19 May 2011 18:30

Michael Dawson insisted on Thursday it was not only Rio Ferdinand breathing down his neck as he tries to cling onto his England place for next month's European Championship qualifier against Switzerland.

The Spurs defender has started two of the last three internationals but Ferdinand has since returned to fitness and Dawson believes Joleon Lescott, Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill are all also capable of ousting him from the team.

"There are also other top-class defenders in the country who are doing well," Dawson said during a tour of the Heritage Museum of Vauxhall, who are official England sponsors. "You look at Joleon, Jags, Gary Cahill, who are playing well."

He added: "As an individual, you've got to concentrate on doing well and hopefully be in that squad for the Switzerland game.

"I hope I did enough against Wales to stake my claim.

"Obviously, when Rio comes back, he's world class, but all I'm concentrating on is hopefully doing well for my club and we'll see where it takes us."

Source: PA