Campbell supports Carragher in international stance

Portsmouth’s Sol Campbell has backed Jamie Carragher’s decision to call time on his England career “except in the case of an absolute emergency” after the Liverpool defender became frustrated at the lack of international opportunities at centre-back.

Campbell, who was dropped from the national squad last summer when Steve McClaren took over from Sven-Goran Eriksson, has still not officially given up on his own England chances despite the last of his 69 caps coming at last summer’s World Cup in Germany.

But he said of Carragher: “You can’t blame him because I totally understand the situation he is in.”

Campbell, who will be 33 in September but had an outstanding season after signing a two-year deal for Pompey from Arsenal last August, added: “He wants to play – but he wants to play in his position.

“There is nothing wrong with that. He doesn’t want to become a makeshift [selection], playing on the right or on the left. That is just filling a gap, not what he does week in, week out for Liverpool.

“He wants the recognition for his ability in that position because that is where you are going to see him at his best. For me, Carragher is a fantastic defender. He has shown it over the years and is one of the best in England.”

The 29-year-old Liverpool player has been criticised in some quarters for pulling the plug on his England career in order to further his ambitions with Liverpool.

But he has shunned comparisons with the likes of Alan Shearer, Tony Adams and Paul Scholes who all said they were quitting England for the benefit of their clubs.

He has said, however, he would answer an England call again “in an absolute emergency”.

Campbell, meanwhile, is still adamant that playing well for Portsmouth remains his immediate priority.

That is probably more focused in his mind after the arrival of Sylvain Distin and Hermann Hreidarsson – both signed on free transfers from Manchester City and Charlton respectively.

But Campbell insists his greatest concern is to see more strikers coming into the club, who have also brought in midfielders Sulley Muntari, for a record £7m, and £1.5m Arnold Mvuemba plus Southampton defender Martin Crainie.

Pompey were also expected to complete a £6m deal later today for Preston’s new England striker David Nugent.

Manager Harry Redknapp told Sky Sports News: “I think he deserves his chance at the top level and I’m delighted to have him,” said the Pompey boss.

“It shows you how far we have come. We have bought some real good players in and I think David will have a good season for us.

“There are not that many people scoring lots of goals so, if he gets into double figures we will be delighted.”

Redknapp also appears to be still interested in French club Rennes’ Nigerian forward John Utaka.

With Kanu, Utaka’s front-line partner in the Nigeria side, and ex-England veteran Andy Cole seemingly on their way out of Fratton Park, Campbell admits: “The team is in good shape but seeing a few more serious players up front would make me happier and really start a buzz for the new season.