• Premier League

Great Britton not giving up on England

ESPN staff
February 27, 2013
Britton has played in all four divisions of the Football League pyramid for Swansea. © PA Photos
Enlarge

Swansea midfielder Leon Britton has not given up hope of a first England call-up despite turning 31 later this year.

Dubbed 'the Wandsworth Xavi', Britton has earned rave reviews for his performances at Swansea, playing a key role in their Capital One Cup triumph this season.

The former Arsenal trainee was watched by England boss Roy Hodgson at Wembley as he helped his team to a 5-0 victory against Bradford in the final on Sunday.

Hodgson has proved already in his tenure that age does not have a bearing on his selection process as he handed Everton's Leon Osman his first cap at the age of 31.

Osman's call up has given Britton fresh hope of earning a senior cap, but he knows England selection is out of his hands and so is focused on performing for the Swans.

"You never give up hope of playing for your country," he told the Daily Star. "All I have got to do is concentrate on playing well for Swansea and if something was to ever come up it would be a dream come true."

"It is out of your hands really. Leon Osman has been playing in the Premier League since he came through the ranks [at Everton], which is a lot longer than myself."

"I don't know him but the England manager has shown he will pick someone whether he is 17, like Raheem Sterling of Liverpool, or 31 like Leon."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices