Gardner has been rewarded for a string of impressive performances at the heart of the Tottenham rearguard this season but he was quick to thank the now departed Hoddle for the role he played in the giant defender's progress.

Although it was David Pleat who was influential in bringing Gardner to White Hart Lane from Port Vale during George Graham's tenure at the club, it was under the tutelage of former England player and manager Hoddle that Gardner really found his feet.

Taking time out to talk to TheFA.com after his first ever training session with the full England squad, Gardner said: "Glenn Hoddle always said to me that he had a lot faith in me and that he thought I would do well.

"I owe a bit to him because he was the one that had the faith in me and gave me the chance to play regularly at Spurs.

"The same goes for John Rudge at Port Vale too. He gave me my league debut and everyone at Port Vale helped me a lot."

Recalling the moment when he was told of his call-up, Gardner said: "I'd just finished training and I was on my way home when the club secretary rang and said 'I've got some good news - you're in the England squad.'

"I was shocked and surprised. When he said it was good news I had a bit of a tingle in my mind but I thought it might have been a club issue rather than an England call-up!

"When the original squad was named on Sunday, I kept an eye out because I am an England fan but it didn't really cross my mind that I might have a chance of getting a call-up.

"I saw the last game out in Turkey and, being an England fan, I took quite an interest in the game but it wasn't in my mind that I'd be in the next squad myself.

"As an Englishman playing in the Premiership, though you try not to get your hopes up too much, there's always that feeling in the back of your mind that if you're playing regularly and your form is good enough, you might get selected."

Gardner's progress has been swift this season - something he believes has a lot to with his injury-free run of late.

"My form has been getting better," he admitted. "I'm probably playing better than I have done for a while.

"That has coincided with me getting a run of games together after the injures that have hampered me in the last two seasons. I feel I've been getting better week by week."

If that is the case, then we can expect a composed display should Anthony be given his England debut on Sunday.

He is certainly not fazed by the prospect.

"I'm quite a confident person and I believe in my abilities," he explains.

"I'm enjoy it and taking it in minute by minute. I'm happy to be training with these players and getting a feel for everything in the full international camp."

Anthony Gardner was talking to Dan Freedman

Anthony Gardner - Stat Pack

Anthony Gardner 

Nationality: English
Place of Birth: Stafford
Date of Birth: 19 September 1980 
Weight: 14 00 
Height: 6' 3''
Club: Tottenham Hotspur 
Position: Defender

Year

Club

Apps.

Goals

1998/99

Port Vale

15

1

1999/00

Port Vale

26

3

1999/00

Tottenham Hotspur

0

0

2000/01

Tottenham Hotspur

8

0

2001/02

Tottenham Hotspur

15

0

2002/03

Tottenham Hotspur

12

1

2003/04

Tottenham Hotspur

10

0