Liam Rosenior believes his England dream would have been killed off by Lawrie Sanchez at Fulham.
The Reading defender moved to the Madejski Stadium on transfer deadline day after admitting he was not prepared to adapt to the new long-ball regime at Craven Cottage.
Rosenior, 23, is set to make his debut in midfield today as his new side travel to Sunderland.
He caught the eye at Fulham with some impressive displays under Chris Coleman and forced his way into the England Under 21 side.
But when Sanchez spent £3million to bring in Chris Baird from Southampton to play at right back, Rosenior knew it was time to move.
And he insists he had to escape to have any hope of challenging Micah Richards and Gary Neville for England’s right back spot.
He said: “It was about me progressing as a player. Everyone knows I’m an ambitious person. I want to be England’s next right back and I still believe I can be.
“Micah Richards is doing a great job at the moment but I honestly feel I am as good as him and within the right environment could prove to be even better.
“Everyone knows how I play and how Lawrie sets up his team and it wouldn’t have got the best out of me.
“I had to start afresh. I’m at a good club and hopefully my career can move on here. The way Reading play is one of the reasons why it will be a good move for me.”
