Fulham striker Andrew Johnson has high hopes of breaking back into the England squad after recovering from his knee problems.
The Fulham striker damaged his knee under a challenge from Blackburn defender Christopher Samba back in January.
The 29-year-old had his right knee rebuilt by acclaimed knee surgeon Richard Steadman and, following a slow recuperation, Johnson played 89 minutes in the goalless draw at Newcastle last weekend.
Johnson, who won eight caps under Sven Goran Eriksson and Steve McClaren, is hopeful he can impress Fabio Capello enough to earn a call-up for the Three Lions’ next friendly international, which is scheduled for early February.
“I have ambitions to play for England especially now it is an open squad,” Johnson told The Independent.
“There are a lot of players getting in there on merit. The manager is not scared of choosing players from the lower division.
“His way is if you are playing well you get your chance which before three, four, five years ago it was a little bit of a closed shop.
“I did break into it when I was in the Championship but that was the season I scored 32 and I scored 21 in the Premier League the year after.
“I cemented myself in the squad for three or four years, didn’t play that many games but I was always called up.
“Looking back on it now – I did appreciate it but maybe I didn’t grab it with two hands as much as I would now.”
