By Phil McNulty
Our man with England |
But he is ready to answer England's call to step into the spotlight as the Euro 2004 campaign starts against France on Sunday.
Chelsea's John Terry looks more like a non-starter every day with what initially appeared a minor hamstring strain sustained against Japan.
It is a desperate blow to a central defensive unit already stripped of suspended Rio Ferdinand and injured duo Gareth Southgate and Jonathan Woodgate.
But coach Sven-Goran Eriksson places great faith in the abilities of Carragher, and also has the option of playing Spurs defender Ledley King alongside the Merseysider.
Carragher is the "bolter" of the squad, the player who made a late run for selection, while King has proved his prowess on the international stage with an excellent full debut in Portugal.
But Carragher looks to be in pole position after getting the nod against Iceland, and he will have no fear of facing Thierry Henry.
He may not be as pleasing on the eye as King, but Carragher's more sturdy defensive qualities may be just what Eriksson requires as he wrestles with his midfield conundrum.
Carragher would offer a greater shield to a midfield without a recognised defensive holding player, now Steven Gerrard has been rightly pushed into the centre alongside Frank Lampard.
And his knowledge of Gerrard's own game, and the confidence publicly shown in him by his great friend Owen, will have done his cause no harm.
 | COUNTING THE CAPS Rio Ferdinand: 33 caps aged 25 Sol Campbell: 58 caps aged 29 John Terry: 8 caps aged 23 Ledley King: 5 caps aged 23 Jamie Carragher: 12 caps aged 26 Jonathan Woodgate: 5 caps aged 24 Gareth Southgate: 57 caps aged 33 |
Carragher was a clever selection by Eriksson, not just because of his unflappable character and his good humour around the squad, but for his all-encompassing defensive versatility.
He started senior life at Liverpool as a tough-tackling midfield player, but can play every defensive position - and those at Anfield have long believed central defence is his best role.
Carragher played in the same FA Youth Cup winning side as Owen and Gerrard in 1995, and is ideally equipped to pursue the bigger prize in Portugal.
But his ability to adapt allowed former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier to build his defence around Sami Hyypia and Stephane Henchoz, with Carragher at left-back for the 2001 treble and at right back ever since.
Carragher's dogged determination and single-minded focus will not allow him to bow to Henry, while his importance was emphasised by the speed with which he was restored to Liverpool's side after breaking a leg at Blackburn in September.
 King is the only other alternative in central defence |
King, however, has also demonstrated he has the credentials to step in and replace Terry. He is good on the ball and quick, but suffered along with others in the trauma that was Tottenham's season.
King was played out of position and occasionally exposed, but Eriksson believes he has a player with the ability and temperament to flourish on the big stage and he may just get his chance on one of the biggest of all.
He showed on his full debut that he can be an unruffled, composed figure - and even popped up with a goal from a set-piece.
Importantly, Eriksson demonstrates great faith in both players, although he will surely privately curse how a key element of his game-plan for Euro 2004 has been afflicted by injuries and a senseless suspension.
But he believes he has the players to fill the gap - and it could be that Carragher is once again poised to join his two great friends Owen and Gerrard in pursuit of glory.
MMIX
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If he is ruled out, is Jamie Carragher the best choice? 
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