Beckham's England position safe

2005-02-08 09:01

England - Shaun Wright-Phillips has told David Beckham he is not eyeing up his England position after admitting he still sees the Real Madrid midfielder as a role model ahead of England's friendly against Holland in Birmingham on Wednesday.

Wright-Phillips, 23, is set to be handed his first start by England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson for the encounter with Marco van Basten's Dutch team at Villa Park.

The Manchester City midfielder has enjoyed an impressive campaign for Kevin Keegan's team operating in the right-midfield berth usually occupied by Beckham for England.

Questions over Beckham's future

Beckham's recent form has led some to question the captain's future in the starting eleven, but Wright-Phillips admits that he is happy to play anywhere for Eriksson.

"Whether I become the long-term successor to David Beckham is not my decision," said Wright-Phillips.

"I am just happy to be in the squad and what will be will be. But everyone knows what a great player 'Becks' is and he is somebody that I just love being around in the squad because I can learn so much from him.

Obvious replacement?

"People like to say that I am an obvious replacement for him on the right hand side, but I don't find that discomforting.

"It's something I just get on with and I'm not bothered one bit about where I play at the moment for England. I just like causing problems for defenders and it doesn't matter what side of the pitch I'm on.

"There has also been talk of me playing up-front with Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen. If that's the case, then I am used to that having played there for City this season.

"If I am picked I intend to grab the chance with both hands. I just want to make it difficult for the manager to leave me out."

Racist taunts

Wright-Phillips, the adopted son of former England and Arsenal striker Ian Wright, was the subject of racist taunts during England's 1-0 defeat against Spain in Madrid last November.

England will wear shirts bearing an anti-racism message against the Dutch, but Wright-Phillips is keen to draw a line under the incident and realise his dream of playing in a World Cup finals.

"I've tried to forget about the racist chanting," he said.

"It happened and it's over and done with. I just have to concentrate on playing my football now.

"My dream is to play in a World Cup with England and that is what I am aiming for now. My dad never made it to a World Cup and I don't want the same thing to happen to me."

- AFP