Anton's in the frame

	17 June 2007
	VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: Anton Ferdinand interview
	Anton Ferdinand spoke to TheFA.com as he prepared for his return to the England frame for their final group game against Serbia.

2007 UEFA European Under-21 Championship
De Goffert Stadion, Nijmegen
7.45pm (UK time), Sunday 17 June 2007
Live on Sky Sports

Anton Ferdinand is back in contention for a place in England's side for their final Group B game against Serbia on Sunday night.

The West Ham United defender has been out for the last two UEFA Championship matches, and the friendly against Slovakia in Norwich, with a groin injury.

As he relaxed at the team hotel before the big game, which will see England go through to the Semi-Final if they win, he caught up with TheFA.com and said he can't wait to get his tournament started.

"It feels good. It’s been frustrating watching the games, even the Slovakia game. Wearing your country’s shirt there is nothing better than that," he said.

"To work so hard to get to the European Championship, I played in every qualifier, then get here and not actually play because of injury has been really frustrating, but I’m back in contention and looking forward to it."

The Under-21s move to a new stadium for the game after playing their first two encounters in Arnhem. The 12,000-seater De Goffert Stadion in Nijmegen will play host and Ferdinand believes England will get the result they need. 

"It’s going to be compact, which is good. The stands aren’t far from the pitch, so I’m looking forward to hopefully playing and if not, just being back in the squad and being around the boys and warming up.

"There’s no point going on the pitch if you’re not confident That’s what we’ve got in this team – bags of confidence."

And Ferdinand, who comes to the end of his time with the Under-21s when the Championship finishes, hopes it can be a spring board to the seniors.

"It would be unbelievable to be the first team to win for god knows how long. To get an achievement like that and also for the boys to show the England manager that they can play in tournaments," he added.

"That is what this exercise is mainly about for most of the boys, especially myself, I want to show people that I can play in tournaments.

"That’s why it’s been frustrating not to play in the games, but I’m over that and ready to crack on."

To watch the full interview with Anton, click on the link above.