Scott Carson's dream of having England call

Sep 5 2008 by Chris Lepkowski

SCOTT Carson intends to force his way back into the England squad by impressing with Albion.

The Baggies first-choice keeper has not played for his country since last November’s Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia.

His well-publicised error in that game did little for his club form with Villa and he was to receive just more one more international call-up - being an unused sub for the friendly against Switzerland back in February.

But Carson is starting to reproduce the kind of displays which earned him his big break in the first place, despite admitting to a mix-up with Abdoulaye Meite in the recent game against Everton, which led to Yakubu’s goal.

The 22-year-old produced two stunning saves in last weekend’s draw against Bolton, earning praise from Baggies boss Tony Mowbray.

And the twice-capped Cumbrian hopes performances of similar standard will push him back into Fabio Capello’s thoughts.

“It’s always nice to be with England but I have got to earn the right to be there,” said Carson.

“I just have to keep doing what I do and hopefully that will get me back in.

“If you’re not playing first-team football you’re not going to have a chance.

“It is going to take a few games to bed on but I am reasonably happy with how it’s going.

“There was a bit of a lapse against Everton with Abou (Meite) but it will take a bit of time to get used to each other and apart from that incident it’s been good.

“That incident was just one of those things that happens in football.

“So it was nice to make a save or two at Bolton.

“You just have be alert and hopefully be ready when you need to be.”

Carson has enjoyed a decent start to his Albion career.

Earning himself an immediate first-team berth was never going to be easy given Dean Kiely’s presence.

But he’s pleased to find himself in Tony Mowbray’s starting line-up, even though he feels the team itself could have more points.

“I am really pleased,” he added.

“I didn’t want to come here and sit on the bench so I came here and worked hard and thankfully the manager gave me the nod.

“I suppose in another season we could have had five or six points but that’s the way it is in the Premier League, it’s not easy.”