Scott Parker glad to be back in the England squad for World Cup double-header

Scott Parker is taking things a step at a time on his return to the England squad, but is glad to be back and with an eye on the World Cup.

The Spurs midfielder hasn’t been in an England squad since last summer’s Euro Finals due to injury.

But his return to action and good form with Spurs has prompted Three Lions Manager Roy Hodgson into recalling him for this week’s games with San Marino and Montenegro.

And Parker is delighted to be back amongst the squad for two important games such as this.

He said: “When you’ve been out for such a long time, it’s always going to be difficult.

“I just wanted to try and get back fit and playing for my club first and after that, it’s to try and get back into the England set-up.

“So obviously I’m very pleased that I’ve been given a chance back in the squad and hopefully now I can move forward and try to get in the team.”

The 32-year-old knows the next two games could be vital in England’s bid to reach the World Cup.

With San Marino up first on Friday and then a trip to play Group H table-toppers Montenegro next Tuesday, two wins would be enough to see England return to top the group.

And Parker knows that the squad’s preparation in training at St. George’s Park will be crucial to the planning for those games.

He added: “It’s two different teams and two totally different games in the way they will be set out.

“But in saying that, you need to prepare as well as you can because we’ll face a San Marino side who will be very difficult opposition.

“They will leave eleven men behind the ball, so our focus over the coming days will be how we can break them down and get the three points before we can move on to Tuesday.

“You’d like to think that the squad and the players we have here are more than capable of going to win both games, with whatever players the Manager decides to uses so it’s certainly an option for us.”