Thursday Sep 29 2005 10:18
Liverpool left-back Stephen Warnock was delighted after receiving a shock call-up for the England squad to play Wales and Northern Ireland in crucial World Cup qualifiers.
The 23-year-old has been a regular for the Reds so far this season and steps into Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad as back-up to Ashley Cole.
He told his club's official website: "I can't quite believe it. I've been reading the papers during the past week and they have been saying I could get a call-up, but I wasn't so sure.
"Then I got a text message at around 7.15pm from the FA telling me I'm in the squad. Roy Evans rang me straightaway to wish me all the best, which was nice, and Chris Kirkland has also been on the phone.
"He's one of my best mates and it's great to see him back in the squad as well.
"I've thought long and hard this summer about where I need to improve and luckily the manager has put his faith in me.
"I've just got to establish myself as the first-choice left-back here before anything else, but this England call-up is certainly a massive boost for my confidence.
"I'm looking forward to showing what I can do. Ashley Cole is obviously the first-choice left-back, but apart from maybe Wayne Bridge and Paul Konchesky, there are perhaps not many other left-backs around."
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