VIDEO: 'A massive opportunity'
Monday, 08 August, 2011
Tottenham defender is looking for his first England chance.
Watch the FATV video from Kyle Walker's press conference
Kyle Walker says he is ready to take his chance with the England squad and hopes this can be one of his biggest seasons for both club and country.
Walker could make his England debut against Holland on Wednesday night after impressing during his loan spell with Aston Villa last season and for the Under-21s at the UEFA Championship in June.
The Tottenham Hotspur defender has now returned to White Hart Lane and is hoping he will finally make his breakthrough into the side and show that he is ready to play at the highest level.
Walker would love the chance to face Holland at Wembley and with the European Championship taking place next summer he knows he needs to be playing regularly in the Premier League if he is to cement his place in Fabio Capello’s squad.
Walker said: “There have been a lot of big steps for me in my career. It is an honour to be here with the likes of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand and senior players in the England squad. Hopefully I can keep going and keep progressing.
“This is a massive opportunity for me. Whatever team the gaffer decides to pick hopefully I can get my start and go from there.
“Glen Johnson is a great right back and someone I watch with how he goes forward and is someone who I like to learn off. I would like to think I am in contention.
“I had a conversation with the (Tottenham) manager and he said I would be in contention for the right back position. Hopefully I can do the work on the training pitch and get the chance to show people what I can do.
“To be in the England squad you need to be playing Premier League football and hopefully I can get in the Tottenham team and go from there.”
Walker is thrilled that his England Under-21 team-mate Tom Cleverley has been handed his first call-up and says there is a strong team spirit in the England squad.
Walker added: “Tom is a great player. You could see on Sunday what he can do on the ball. I played with him at the Under-21 Championship and played on the right side. We have a good understanding together.
“He is great off the pitch and that makes a big difference as well. He can deliver a ball and has a great football brain.
“When I had my first call-up I only really knew Jack (Wilshere) from the Under-21s but now I now Danny Welbeck, Micah Richards and it is good to have some familiar faces around. You can have a bit of banter with them and it makes you feel welcome.”
Tickets are still available for the match at Wembley which sees England entertain last year's World Cup finalists, to get your seat click here