Liverpool's Stephen Warnock says his shock England call-up is consolation for missing out on a place in their Champions League-winning squad. The 23-year-old defender was the surprise name in Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Wales and Northern Ireland.
He said: "I can't quite believe it and am speechless, to be honest.
"It's brilliant and certainly goes some way towards making up for the disappointment of last season."
He added: "Istanbul was a strange experience because I love the club so much but then it hurt me badly to miss out on it all.
"Of course, I was made up that we won but also really upset to miss out on the final because that's what I've grown up dreaming about.
"I've thought long and hard this summer about where I needed to improve and luckily the manager has put his faith in me from the start of the season.
"I've just got to establish myself as the first-choice Liverpool left-back before anything else, but this England call-up is certainly a massive boost to my confidence."
Warnock added: "I'm looking forward to showing what I can do. Ashley Cole is obviously the first-choice left-back, but apart from maybe Wayne Bridge and Paul Konchesky, there are perhaps not that many other English left-backs around.
"I'm confident in my own ability and would love the opportunity to show what I can do.
"Really, it will be a chance to try and establish myself in the squad and get to know the other players.
"Apart from the Liverpool players, there is only really Joe Cole who I know. I played with him for England Under-15s and it would be great to play alongside him again."
MMIX
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