Manchester City defender Micah Richards is confident of establishing himself as England's top right-back.
The 24-year-old has won 13 caps since 2006 but has never established himself at international level and was frequently overlooked by former England boss Fabio Capello. He impressed for City last season but missed out on Euro 2012 amid confusion over whether he was on new manager Roy Hodgson's standby list.
His chances of winning himself back into favour this term have been dashed by two lengthy injury lay-offs but, having now returned to action, is hopeful next year will be different. And he said: "Hopefully next season I will be injury-free and I can show everyone what I can do. It's a big challenge and it's a World Cup year."
He added: "Every Englishman wants to be there. I look at my competition there and, in all honesty, I don't see players better than me.
"I feel I am good enough to be around that set-up. It is about being given a chance."
Liverpool's Glen Johnson is Hodgson's current first-choice right-back while Kyle Walker of Tottenham is also highly favoured. Another Liverpool player, Martin Kelly, was selected for Euro 2012 instead of Richards after it was reported the City man had refused to be put on standby.
There may have been a breakdown in communication over that matter but Richards is not letting it bother him now.
He said: "He (Hodgson) had a hard decision to make in the summer when Johnson was playing fantastic.
"I was a little bit surprised when Kyle Walker didn't go injured and I didn't get the call. I was on standby.
"But that's how it goes. I can only prove them wrong by playing well and I have got to be playing in this team (City) before I can think about England. I have to take it one step at a time."
Source: PA
