11 October 2004
Owen Hargreaves press conference

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Bayern Munich midfielder Hargreaves is one of the players being considered to replace David Beckham, who is both injured and suspended for the crucial World Cup tie.

So, if Sven goes for a 4-4-2 formation it would mean a place wide on the right or left - but if he sticks with 4-3-3 it could mean a more central role.

"I can play in different positions and I think that’s been the case in my career for the last four years," said Hargreaves.

"I’ve always played but I’m always in different positions. At Bayern the last two games I’ve played the holding role, a position I’m most accustomed to and I think I’m best at.

"But I’ve played on the left and the right. I’m not too fussy. When you get the opportunity to play for England you’re happy to play anywhere. I’d just be happy to get another start under my belt."

Hargreaves has been a regular member of the England squad over the last year or so, including making three appearances at Euro 2004.

Now he is hoping to take another step forward if he is picked against Azerbaijan.

"I’ve had a few chances and every time I’ve played I think I’ve done relatively well," said Hargreaves.

"I think my last start was against Sweden and before that it was Macedonia. In those games I’ve tried to put in a good performance. If that’s the case on Wednesday and I get the call then I’d like to do the same again.

"I’m very happy with my development over the last few years and I think it’s just a matter of playing games in the same position week in week out. That would do me great. But I think all you can do really do is to take your chances. That is what I intend to do with my next one."

Hargreaves is one of the few Englishmen playing outside the Premiership, turning out regularly in the Bundesliga for Bayern Munich.

It means he is perhaps one of the least-recognised members of the England squad, but he is adamant that playing abroad doesn't affect his chances.

He said: "I don’t think the fans pick the team - I think the manager picks the team. He watches every player closely to see what form he is in and he’s always giving me a ring or coming out to watch games.

"Tord Grip was in Bremen for our last league game and I think I’m very closely watched in Munich.

"Munich is a lot bigger than most clubs in the Premier League. So obviously I’m watched and any time anyone wants to see a game of mine all it takes is a satellite dish. If someone wants to see how I’m playing it’s not that hard for a fan or a manager.

"I suppose it is an advantage if you are playing in front of the English media and public week in, week out. But it’s not too much of a disadvantage playing at a club like Bayern Munich, playing in the Champions League. There’s not too many clubs in the world that can compete with that."

That Champions League experience is certain to serve Hargreaves well if he plays in Baku this week, but don't ask him to 'bend it like Beckham' in the Azerbaijan capital.

"I don’t think you’d want to try and copy David Beckham, that’s impossible," he said.

"If I get picked I’ll try to go about my game as I normally do and just try to do my job. It’s just about putting in a performance. If the manager asks me to do something then I'll do that. We’ve tried a few things out in training and we’ll go from there. It's an important game and we want to win it."