Steven Taylor has expressed his delight at earning a call-up to the England squad after revealing that former boss Fabio Capello did not know what position he played.
The Newcastle United defender was added to Roy Hodgson's group on Tuesday after Gary Cahill was ruled out of Friday's World Cup qualifier against San Marino due to injury.
Taylor now has a chance to make his international debut, having been an unused substitute the only previous time he was included in an England squad - for a friendly under Steve McClaren in 2007.
He had hoped to gain recognition last season, before discovering that his performances had made very little impression on Capello.
"Last season Fabio Capello didn't come to watch Newcastle even when we had the best defensive record up to Christmas," Taylor explained.
"The gaffer, Alan Pardew, saw Capello at an event and told him: 'You should come and see Taylor.' Capello said: 'I'm all right for midfielders'.
"That did a lot for my confidence. It was almost back to the feeling I had when we got relegated.
"It killed me when we went down. Capello said he wasn't going to pick anybody in the Championship."
Taylor is thrilled that his hard work has paid off and he is determined to seize his opportunity if given the chance to impress.
He said: "It seems like a long time ago but I was called up in 2007 for a game against Germany and although I didn't get on the pitch, it was incredible just being around the England squad.
"I would run through brick walls to play for my country. It would be the proudest moment in my career and if it comes, I would be absolutely delighted, over the moon, call it what you want. You cannot get any higher than playing for your country."
Taylor now has a chance to make his international debut, having been an unused substitute the only previous time he was included in an England squad - for a friendly under Steve McClaren in 2007.
He had hoped to gain recognition last season, before discovering that his performances had made very little impression on Capello.
"Last season Fabio Capello didn't come to watch Newcastle even when we had the best defensive record up to Christmas," Taylor explained.
"The gaffer, Alan Pardew, saw Capello at an event and told him: 'You should come and see Taylor.' Capello said: 'I'm all right for midfielders'.
"That did a lot for my confidence. It was almost back to the feeling I had when we got relegated.
"It killed me when we went down. Capello said he wasn't going to pick anybody in the Championship."
Taylor is thrilled that his hard work has paid off and he is determined to seize his opportunity if given the chance to impress.
He said: "It seems like a long time ago but I was called up in 2007 for a game against Germany and although I didn't get on the pitch, it was incredible just being around the England squad.
"I would run through brick walls to play for my country. It would be the proudest moment in my career and if it comes, I would be absolutely delighted, over the moon, call it what you want. You cannot get any higher than playing for your country."
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