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Campbell hurt by England snub

Sol Campbell feels his Arsenal performances warranted a call-up to the World Cup squad © Getty Images

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Sol Campbell has told Soccernet he is "really, really hurt" to have been denied the chance to play for England in South Africa.

Campbell, 35, revived his career after rejoining Arsenal in January and some observers felt he had done enough to put himself into Fabio Capello's plans.

However, Capello instead opted to take a risk on Rio Ferdinand and Ledley King - who had been struggling with injuries - as well as persuading Jamie Carragher to come out of international retirement, while Campbell failed to even make the initial 30-man squad.

"Yes, I wouldn't mind being out in South Africa with the England team," he told Soccernet. "Yeah, the way I have been playing for Arsenal, don't you think I should be? I do. For sure.

"Regrets? You could say that. I regret the fact that the England camp didn't think of me. I would have put my heart and soul into playing for my country again - I played my heart out for Arsenal again, and thought it was worthy of a chance with England. It never came.

"Surely, you pick people in the groove, and I was back in the groove, and I was fit. Instead, Capello picked a couple of half-fit players. It fell right for them. Not for me.

"I can understand if Capello was thinking, 'This guy is for England's past', but then he went back for a couple of players who had retired from international football. That I couldn't understand if he wasn't interested in going back to me.

"Not only that Capello has gone for one centre half who didn't have a very good season, and another who just missed out on relegation. It's crazy when you think about it, that I would have done anything for crack at it, but never did.

"I was really, really hurt to be totally overlooked without even having an opportunity. I have been playing with England teams since I was 15 years old. I have won 74 England caps - been there, got the T-shirt - and it's experience that counts at this level as well."

With Ferdinand having been forced out of the squad and King now suffering with a groin tear, Campbell has suggested he would select Carragher against Algeria.

"I would go for experience all the time - go for the players who have been there - because one mistake for a novice can destroy him," he said. "JT picks himself and then I would play the most experienced one alongside him.

"The problem is now: what if they get any more injuries, and particularly in this problem position?"

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