Lescott Eyes Starting Role
Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott has his sights set firmly on a starting role for the national side at the World Cup this summer.
The centre-half has been a regular fixture in Fabio Capello’s England squads but has found securing a starting role a difficult task, with Rio Ferdinand and John Terry standing in his way of a place in the heart of the England defence.
However, Lescott is left-footed and has played at left-back during his time at Everton. This could hand him the opportunity to stake his claim for the left full-back role, with Ashley Cole in danger of missing out through injury and Wayne Bridge opting to pull out of the squad.
Lescott remains hopeful his form for City can force Capello to call on him for World Cup duty.
The former Everton man feels his current club side are on course to qualify for European football and believes he can help City book a place in next year’s Champions League, while boosting his own World Cup chances in the process.
Lescott said: “No-one enjoys being on the bench, whether for your country or your club,
“If you do, then you deserve to be there. I was disappointed, but I didn’t go there expecting to play.
“I know I’ve got to progress and improve at club level then hopefully when an opportunity comes, I can do a job. But I’m pleased with the way things are going since I came back.
“This is a massive opportunity for us at City and for me as an international – hopefully we can continue our form, get fourth place, and I can go off to South Africa with the England squad.”
