Aston Villa defender Stephen Warnock believes a door may have been opened for him to earn an England World Cup call-up after Wayne Bridge's decision to quit international football for the foreseeable future.
Warnock has played only six minutes for his country as a late substitute in the away friendly with Trinidad and Tobago in June 2008.
His immediate focus is on the Carling Cup final with Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday with Villa looking to lift their first trophy for 14 years, but Warnock has moved up Fabio Capello's pecking order with Ashley Cole's ankle injury and Bridge's decision to stand down from being selected for his country.
Asked if Bridge's stance put him a great position, Warnock said: "I don't know. That is the manager's decision at the end of the day, whom he picks and whom he thinks is right for the job.
"All I can do is concentrate on my form for Villa and hope that is enough to impress the manager. I was pushing for it anyway and always felt if my form was good enough, I could push Wayne Bridge as hard as I could.
"But, with the events that have unfolded, possibly it opens a door and you just never know what could happen. I have never made any secret of my ambition to play for my country again."
Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed Kieran Gibbs could return from injury before the end of the season but effectively dismissed any hopes the youngster could be the answer to England's left-back problems.
Gibbs was last month ruled out for the rest of the campaign after undergoing surgery on the foot he injured during a Champions League match against Standard Liege in November.
The 20-year-old has made good progress in his recovery and Wenger admitted there was an outside chance he could play again this season, but doubts that Gibbs will be a contender for the England squad.
"There is a chance he will be back (before the end of the season), if all goes well," he said, "but I can't give you any date for his return to football and it's very premature at the moment. He is still in a little cast and we are near the beginning of March."
He added: "I think he will one day play for the national team. I am convinced of that."
