By John May at the Millennium Stadium |
The bitter taste of FA Cup final defeat has increased James Beattie's appetite for England action this summer.
 Beattie is a big admirer of Henry |
At a time when most players are winding down their season, Beattie is gearing up after the disappointment of Saturday's FA Cup final defeat.
Although he, along with Wayne Bridge and Arsenal's Ashley Cole, will not be jetting out to South Africa with England, Beattie is in the England squad for the friendly with Serbia & Montenegro and the Euro 2004 qualifier against Slovakia.
"I'm really looking forward to joining up with England," he told this website.
"It might cut into my summer break, but I think I'm willing to give up a bit of that.
"By the time I've finished with England, it will leave me a bit of time to disappear in June, before coming back in July for pre-season.
"But if you want to compete at the top, you have to be prepared to make sacrifices," added Beattie, who promised he and Southampton would be back.
"We came off as losers but I want to take the experience from being here in the game itself.
"Some people will look at the final and say I came off second best against Martin Keown.
"But it was always going to be a tough game, Martin is a top central defender.
"We've had a good season as a team, and I've been lucky enough to have a good season personally.
"I have always said that if I could stay injury-free, I would score goals.
"I've been lucky enough not to have had any injuries this season, and I think my goal tally of 23 Premiership goals proves my point.
 We're a young squad and we've made genuine strides as a club |
"We're a young squad and we've made genuine strides as a club.
"When you play in a final, you realise you want to play in a game like this every week," said Beattie who again expressed his admiration for Henry.
Henry finished just ahead of Beattie in the Golden Boot race, pushing the Saints striker down to third place behind Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Beattie has no grudges against the Frenchman, though.
"He is a unique player, he really is fantastic to watch, and when I look backward, I sometimes feel really sorry for the guys who play at the back.
"If I wasn't doing anything on a Saturday afternoon I would go and watch Arsenal play."
MMIX
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