James Beattie admitted his disappointment at being left out of the England squad but vowed to bounce back. The Southampton striker was a surprise omission from England's squad to face Denmark in a friendly at Old Trafford.
In the absence of the injured Michael Owen, England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has named only three strikers to face the Danes.
"I'm gutted, but I'll be back. I've just got to keep scoring goals and make him pick me," Beattie told this website.
"It's a big disappointment and I have to admit I was a bit surprised.
"But I have to keep working and see if I can get back in the squad with goals.
"That's the only thing that's going to get me back in."
Beattie's six Premiership goals this season puts him behind only Owen and Alan Shearer among English strikers.
 |  He's obviously got his reasons for picking the squad he did, but he's allowed to do that, he's the manager |
His Premiership total is more than Heskey (two), Rooney (one) and Vassell (no Premiership goals) combined. Eriksson's decision to go with only Heskey, Vassell and Rooney in Owen's absence looks ominous for strikers like Beattie, Leeds' Alan Smith and even Manchester City's Robbie Fowler.
But Beattie says the door has been left open by the England coach.
He said: "He's obviously got his reasons for picking the squad he did, but he's allowed to do that, he's the manager.
"But he's said that if myself and Alan Smith keep scoring we will get back in, so that's what we have to do.
"I had a good season last season, and hopefully this year will be better," added Beattie who is confident he can be part of England's squad for the Euro 2004 championships in Portugal.
"That's my long-term aim, to help England bring the European Championship back.
"We're definitely in with a chance of winning it."
MMIX
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