Source: Team_Talk
Dawson keen to impress Capello
Michael Dawson is relishing being part of England's World Cup squad but will make no brash predictions as to whether he should face Algeria.[LNB] Dawson's hopes of going to South Africa looked to have been shattered after he was axed from Fabio Capello's final 23-man squad two weeks ago.[LNB]But 72 hours later he was on a plane to Rustenburg after skipper Rio Ferdinand pulled out with a knee injury.[LNB]Now Ledley King's groin problem has put the spotlight on Dawson, Matthew Upson and Jamie Carragher in the battle to play in Cape Town against the Algerians on Friday night.[LNB]But Dawson, Tottenham's player of the year, is content to concentrate on trying to impress Capello in training.[LNB]He said: "We'll just have to wait and see. You'll have to ask the manager. For me it would be a dream to play.[LNB]"There's no hiding that. I've said that for a long time, since before I got in the squad but we've got Jamie Carragher and Matthew Upson as well.[LNB]"But we're just concentrating on training and hopefully I'll do the best I can and then we'll see.[LNB]"I'm excited for Friday and the World Cup is an amazing experience and, from getting a call from the FA to say Rio was injured, it's all happened really quickly.[LNB]"To be part of it is great and I'm enjoying every minute of it.[LNB]"Unfortunately Ledley came off the other day with a groin injury but it's not too bad.[LNB]"He's out of the game on Friday but it's the manager's decision who he picks. I'm always hopeful."[LNB]Dawson, 26, is adamant the mood in the England camp is upbeat despite England being held to a 1-1 draw by the United States.[LNB]He said: "Hopefully we'll get a win under our belts on Friday. We got a point against the USA. We would have liked to get more, but it wasn't to be. The mood is positive."[LNB]Dawson met the 12-year-old he sponsors for the first time at a village near Rustenburg yesterday. He was greeted by Aubrey, wearing a Wayne Rooney Manchester United shirt.[LNB]The SOS children's village comprises 10 family houses to take in up to 100 children, and a community-based childcare and support programme for children and families affected by HIV/AIDS has been set up.[LNB]Dawson said: "It's certainly different. It opens your eyes to the real world and, when you look at the smiles on the children's faces, it's great.[LNB]"It's scary with kids being affected by HIV but we've come here to try to put a smile on their faces.[LNB]"Tottenham have sponsored a house and the FA as well. If people like ourselves can do it (help), we hope many more people can do it as well.[LNB]"The Tottenham players all agreed to sponsor a child at the start of the season and fortunately enough I got to meet mine.[LNB]"When you come here and see how happy they are it's great. If we can do that, and help them have a better life, that's great."[LNB]
