Campbell makes England pitch

Newcastle defender Sol Campbell admits he still feels he is capable of featuring for England during the qualification campaign for Euro 2012 which starts on Friday night against Bulgaria (England 3/10, draw 4/1, Bulgaria 10/1 – 90 Minutes).

The former Tottenham and Arsenal star has won 73 caps for the Three Lions but the last of them came under former coach Steve McClaren with his form overlooked by Fabio Capello ever since the Italian took charge.

Thirty-six later in September, Campbell thinks he can cut it on the big stage although the likes of John Terry, Matthew Upson, Matthew Dawson, Joleon Lescott and Gary Cahill are ahead of him in the pecking order.

“You go to Italy and defenders and goalkeepers can go on and on and on really,” argued Campbell.

“You can roll the names off of the guys who have played well into their late 30s at international level so I think it sometimes goes down to mentality.

“It doesn’t matter where you are at with your age, if you are fit and you are strong and you are physically there and you want it, then you have got the experience so I think there should be no problem really.”

Campbell’s cause has not been helped by the fact he is yet to pull on a Newcastle shirt in anger so far this season.

He did not join up with the Magpies until late in the summer after leaving Arsenal on a free transfer at the end of last season.

But Campbell had a run out for the Magpies’ second string in midweek as he looks to put himself in contention for the home clash with Ian Holloway’s Blackpool on Saturday September 11.

Chris Hughton’s men have made a solid start to the season since the opening defeat at Manchester United while they are also through to the second round of the Carling Cup (Newcastle 50/1 – Carling Cup Outright).

But the Seasiders have also taken the step up from the Championship in their stride and currently sit in mid-table after three games of the campaign (Blackpool 2/7 – To Be Relegated).

Holloway has signed over 10 players since winning promotion via the play-offs with the likes of Luke Varney, DJ Campbell and David Carney late additions to his squad.

Aussie midfielder Carney and former loan striker Campbell were only confirmed by the club on deadline day and both have made Blackpool?s 23-man Premier League squad which leaves room for two free agents.

Under-21 players can also be selected as they do not need to be declared by a club.

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