Carrick: I want England place

Tottenham midfielder Michael Carrick admits he will be “devastated” should there be no room for him in England’s World Cup squad.

The 24-year-old former West Ham player has featured regularly in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s recent squads without being able to establish himself in the team.

Although Eriksson knows most of the players he will take to Germany this summer, Carrick may be one of the most vulnerable having won just four international caps – two in 2001 and two on last year’s summer tour to the United States.

Carrick said: “The longer it goes, the closer it gets, the more you think about the World Cup. And I would be devastated if I’m not picked.

“But to get in the squad you’ve got to be playing well for your club and need to earn your place, so it would be stupid of me to get ahead of things.”

England face Uruguay at Anfield on March 1, in the first of three friendlies Eriksson’s side will play before the World Cup begins in June.

“I’ve not even thought about that game, though I want to be in the squad,” Carrick added. “There’s not a lot of time to get a place in the World Cup but things change so quickly.”