Source: Team_Talk
Dawson ready for England opener
Centre-back Michael Dawson insists he is 'ready and waiting' to perform for England against the USA in their World Cup opener on Saturday. [LNB] The Tottenham defender was called up to replace injured captain Rio Ferdinand in South Africa last week after originally missing out on Fabio Capello's 23-man squad. [LNB]Dawson, who won his first England cap in the second half of their 3-0 win over the Platinum Stars in their final warm-up match on Monday, says he is fully prepared to make his World Cup debut this weekend. [LNB]"I'm ready and waiting, we'll just have to wait and see what the manager does," Dawson told Sky Sports News. [LNB]"We've had a good few weeks training and the big day starts on Saturday."[LNB]Dawson voiced his delight at making his England debut just days after he thought his World Cup dream was over when he was axed from Capello's 30-man provisional line-up. [LNB]"It was great, obviously I only met up a couple of days ago and it's fantastic to get out there and get 45 minutes under my belt," he added. [LNB]"The first 24 hours (after my call-up) were a bit mental but since I've been here everyone has made me feel welcome."[LNB]The defender expressed his sympathy for Ferdinand, who is ruled out with a knee injury he suffered in training on Friday. [LNB]"I'm devastated for Rio, I know anything I can say won't make a difference to him at this moment in time," he added. [LNB]"But I've just got to come out here and do the best I can."[LNB]Meanwhile, Jermain Defoe is confident England will be prepared for the World Cup opener with the United States despite having problems at high altitude in the warm-up game against Platinum Stars.[LNB]Capello used 21 of his 23 players, with only Gareth Barry and David James, who has had knee problems, not participating.[LNB]Defoe said: "It was quite difficult to breathe out there to be honest.[LNB]"We are higher up than when in Austria for the training camp so altitude is going to play a major part.[LNB]"It felt a lot harder in terms of breathing and getting your recovery.[LNB]"It was quite difficult to get your breath back.[LNB]"But we will get used to that and we feel prepared for Saturday. Mentally we are prepared, physically we are prepared.[LNB]"Everyone is looking forward to the game."[LNB]Rooney received a yellow card for dissent and was his typically competitive and aggressive self at times.[LNB]But Defoe said: "I think you need that. That is 'Wazz' [Rooney] all over, his aggression, that is the way he plays."[LNB]The Tottenham striker was also full of praise for skipper Rio Ferdinand's decision to remain with the squad until after the opening game after his knee ligament injury.[LNB]Defoe said: "Credit to Rio, he could have gone home and gone on holiday.[LNB]"But he chose to stay here and be with the players and, even though he is on the sidelines, he is the captain and credit to him.[LNB]"When he got injured, we couldn't believe it. It was a freak accident in training.[LNB]"It happens but we are all here for him and he is a fantastic guy."
