The Manchester United centre-back, who has had a terrible time with injuries over the last couple of years, formed a solid partnership with Jamie Carragher as England drew 0-0 with Holland.

Brown knows he was only in the squad because of a string of injuries to key defenders. But having shown he is back to his best, the aim is to persuade Head Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson that he deserves to stay.

Brown said:"There’s so much competition, because there are so many centre-halves and everybody is playing well.

"I was lucky that Matthew Upson got injured and I was given a chance. I think I did OK.

"For me and the rest of the defence it was great to get a clean sheet. If you don’t let any in, you don’t lose a game - and considering we hadn’t really played together before, we did well.

"It’s a long time since I played for England, I can hardly remember. So it was a good night for me.

"We could have snatched victory, perhaps, but as a defence we were happy with the result."

Brown rarely put a foot wrong at Villa Park and his aim now is to clinch a regular place in the United team at Old Trafford and gradually force his way back into the England reckoning.

He said: "I’ve still got to try and play a few more games for Manchester United but it would be great to get another chance with England. I’ll be doing everything I can to make it happen."