Tottenham defender Michael Dawson hopes to keep England starting berth

EPL: Michael Dawson, Tottenham (Getty Images)

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Tottenham defender Michael Dawson hopes he has done enough to keep an England starting place after establishing himself in the international fold.

The centre-back looked set to become and England regular until an injury in a Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria ruled him out of action for three months.

Dawson was back in the frame at the turn of the year though, featuring against Denmark and Wales, and while he appreciates there is plenty of quality at Fabio Capello’s disposal in his position, the 27-year-old believes he has staked his claim sufficiently.

“There are also other top-class defenders in the country who are doing well,” Dawson told reporters.

“You look at Joleon Lescott, Jags Phil Jagielka, Gary Cahill, who are playing well.

“As an individual, you’ve got to concentrate on doing well and hopefully be in that squad for the Switzerland game. I hope I did enough against Wales to stake my claim.

“Obviously, when Rio Ferdinand comes back, he’s world class, but all I’m concentrating on is hopefully doing well for my club and we’ll see where it takes us.”

The defender would not be drawn on whether or not he believes Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has made the right decision in representing the England Under-21s this summer.

He added: “It’s a great honour to play for your country.

“Jack’s had a long, hard season, but it’s not for me to go into whether he should or whether he shouldn’t.”