Post by Taxigirl on Nov 10, 2005 7:41:35 GMT
www.sportinglife.com/football/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/05/11/10/SOCCER_England_Campbell.html
Sol Campbell believes he has finally put his frustrating injury problems behind him - giving him every chance of rivalling John Terry and Rio Ferdinand for a starting role at the World Cup finals.
Campbell admits any repeat of last season's injury nightmare, when he missed more than half of the campaign due to ankle and Achilles problems, would jeopardise his place in next summer's tournament.
However, after returning from his latest injury setback, he is hoping to be selected to face Argentina in Saturday's friendly in Geneva.
Ledley King was looking to confirm his fitness for that game, potentially in the central midfield holding role, despite having missed Wednesday's initial training session due to a knee injury.
Campbell, meanwhile, was part of the players' committee - also including Gary Neville, David Beckham and Michael Owen - which agreed the outline of a deal last night that could net the squad up to £300,000 a man to win the World Cup next summer.
Above all, the Arsenal centre-back, who has suffered two injury blows already this season, is now confident that he can look ahead to next summer's tournament with confidence.
"If I had another season like last season, where I was in and out, I would be struggling for the World Cup, but I'm not going to have that," he declared.
"I'm back playing, my football is getting better and better and I'm getting stronger. You don't know what's going to happen but you have to believe.
"Last season was bizarre for me. I was either injured or getting over an injury or whatever. But now the dust has settled and I'm a lot more settled in other things as well.
"You have to believe, it's World Cup year and that pushes you when you're playing in your club football. We've got a group of players who can do something special.
"Of course, you've got to have young players to come in and do fantastic things but in big games, you need experience and we've got enough players who have played in one, two or three tournaments."
Having played a minimal role at Euro '96, Campbell, now 31, has since been integral in each of the four subsequent tournaments, even if he does not take his international place for granted.
"I'm always honoured to play for England. I never take that for granted because I've played this amount of tournaments," he said, despite having been picked ahead of Ferdinand against Austria last month.
"Every time you play, you should say to yourself 'this could be my last game and make it count'. If I'm playing my best football, then of course I want to be in the team.
"It's down to the manager but, if I'm fit, I've got as good a chance as anyone else."
Sven-Goran Eriksson's main selection decisions will revolve around not only Terry's partner in central defence, but also whether Wayne Bridge, Paul Konchesky or Phil Neville will start at left-back against Argentina.
Campbell concluded: "It's very important how we play. There's only a few games to go and you need to build that confidence.
"It could start sending out a message if we beat Argentina but you've got to keep it going, you can't just play one fantastic game. It's countdown time now."
Sol Campbell believes he has finally put his frustrating injury problems behind him - giving him every chance of rivalling John Terry and Rio Ferdinand for a starting role at the World Cup finals.
Campbell admits any repeat of last season's injury nightmare, when he missed more than half of the campaign due to ankle and Achilles problems, would jeopardise his place in next summer's tournament.
However, after returning from his latest injury setback, he is hoping to be selected to face Argentina in Saturday's friendly in Geneva.
Ledley King was looking to confirm his fitness for that game, potentially in the central midfield holding role, despite having missed Wednesday's initial training session due to a knee injury.
Campbell, meanwhile, was part of the players' committee - also including Gary Neville, David Beckham and Michael Owen - which agreed the outline of a deal last night that could net the squad up to £300,000 a man to win the World Cup next summer.
Above all, the Arsenal centre-back, who has suffered two injury blows already this season, is now confident that he can look ahead to next summer's tournament with confidence.
"If I had another season like last season, where I was in and out, I would be struggling for the World Cup, but I'm not going to have that," he declared.
"I'm back playing, my football is getting better and better and I'm getting stronger. You don't know what's going to happen but you have to believe.
"Last season was bizarre for me. I was either injured or getting over an injury or whatever. But now the dust has settled and I'm a lot more settled in other things as well.
"You have to believe, it's World Cup year and that pushes you when you're playing in your club football. We've got a group of players who can do something special.
"Of course, you've got to have young players to come in and do fantastic things but in big games, you need experience and we've got enough players who have played in one, two or three tournaments."
Having played a minimal role at Euro '96, Campbell, now 31, has since been integral in each of the four subsequent tournaments, even if he does not take his international place for granted.
"I'm always honoured to play for England. I never take that for granted because I've played this amount of tournaments," he said, despite having been picked ahead of Ferdinand against Austria last month.
"Every time you play, you should say to yourself 'this could be my last game and make it count'. If I'm playing my best football, then of course I want to be in the team.
"It's down to the manager but, if I'm fit, I've got as good a chance as anyone else."
Sven-Goran Eriksson's main selection decisions will revolve around not only Terry's partner in central defence, but also whether Wayne Bridge, Paul Konchesky or Phil Neville will start at left-back against Argentina.
Campbell concluded: "It's very important how we play. There's only a few games to go and you need to build that confidence.
"It could start sending out a message if we beat Argentina but you've got to keep it going, you can't just play one fantastic game. It's countdown time now."