New call up has taken to the international scene like a duck to water

New call up David Thompson has taken to the international scene like a duck to water this week. The Blackburn man's sense of humour and delight at being involved have been almost as impressive as his form on the training pitch can only have impressed the watchful Sven Goran Eriksson.

The former Liverpool man conducted his first press conference as an England player on Wednesday, saying: "I haven't had time to think about it, it all happened so fast. It is a dream come true.

``I thought Graeme [Souness] was winding me up at first but I guess it would have been a pretty sick joke,'' he said.

``I owe him a lot for bringing me back into the Premiership because nobody I know has been picked for England from the Nationwide League.

``It is a surprise I suppose but I always hoped the call would come and now I have to make the most of it.

"The longer you have got to think about it the more nervous you get but I am absolutely delighted"

Nerves have not been apparent on the pitch this week as David's tenacity in the tackle, quick eye for a pass, and ferocious shooting ability have helped him to make an instant impression. Perhaps the secret has been the fact that not everything has been new to David on his first meet up with the England squad. In fact it has been more like a meeting of old friends for him.

"I was made up to see Stevie (Gerrard) and Michael (Owen) because it is a long time since we had a chance to sit down and have a good chat," he said of his old Anfield mockers.

``People tend to write you off when you leave Liverpool because with very few exceptions you are taking a big step down,'' he said.

``But as long as you don't give up on yourself and retain the confidence in your own ability to come back and shine, you should be okay.

``I am never going to receive the same kind of recognition as Michael Owen or Steven Gerrard and I am not as pleasing on the eye as Thierry Henry. I just go out and try to do my own job effectively.

``I have scored a few goals as well which helps. It's strange really because even when you play well you never get the type of headlines which come when you score, no matter what your overall performance is.

``It's also an important part of a midfielder's game, so hopefully I will get a few more.''

Though he's a natutally confident player and person, David certainly does not expect to walk straight into Sven's team, despite his exceptional recent form and international experience with the Under-21s.

"It is a completely different kettle of fish from winning under-21 caps, (senior caps) don't come easy," he said.

"I want to try to get a few and build on that. I've just come down here and I want to try to impress the manager and the staff.

"There are some quality players here but you've got to give it your best shot. I've got to work hard and try to establish myself."

Well, he's certainly going the right way about it.

From Daniel Freedman at Burnham Beeches.