Jamie Carragher ventured into unfamiliar territory in the first half against Hungary when he played a midfield holding role – but enjoyed the challenge and is looking for another chance on Saturday against Jamaica.

The Liverpool defender played 45 minutes in midfield before returning to more his familiar role in defence for the second-half of Tuesday’s 3-1 victory because of Gary Neville’s injury.

And while Carragher admits it is a different ball-game to his central defensive berth, he is happy to do a job for the team.

“If you are going to have the full-backs pushing on and joining the attack you need to have someone sitting in there in midfield,” he said.

“It’s certainly different to centre-half, where you don’t do so much running but you have to use your brain more and organise things around you. In midfield it is more about short sharp spins, stopping the opposing strikers getting shots in, and I appreciate more what the likes of Stevie Gerrard do week in, week out.”

There is no knowing yet whether Carragher will be asked to repeat that role in Germany, but he feels ready for the challenge. “You’ve got to get your head round the role, and it would not be ideal to find out just an hour or two before a game, but we have worked on a few things in training so that helps.

“I was a little disappointed when Gary Neville was injured and had to drop back to right back. I’d probably have liked to spend another 20 to 30 minutes in midfield to get more used to the role.”

And as a close friend of Gerrard’s, he was delighted to see his clubmate get a chance to show his striking skills for England. “I may be biased because we are from Liverpool, but he’s one of the best strikers in the world,” said Carragher.

“We were talking before the game and he usually wears number four, but he was given the number nine shirt, and to be wearing that and to score for England in that shirt - it’s something he’ll remember for a long time.

“It is just a withdrawn striker’s role, not that different to playing with Peter Crouch off Michael Owen upfront.”

Both Liverpool lads have had long seasons but there is nothing like an upcoming World Cup to invigorate tired bodies.

“I feel fine. “When things are going well you don’t feel tired. I’d love to play another 90 minutes on Saturday, wherever it may be on the pitch, but that is up to the manager.”