James hopes to erase nightmare

Wembley blunder which haunts David James

David James hopes returning to the England squad this week will help him erase the nightmare of his blunder which cost Aston Villa the FA Cup final.

James, who dropped the ball to present Chelsea's Roberto di Matteo with the only goal at Wembley, admits he cried after the match.

But the giant goalkeeper, who last played at international level three years ago, said: "I've got something to look forward to with England.

"I've got an opportunity to work with the finest players in the country and I'll be looking to do my stuff.

"What happened on Saturday is not going to stop me from going to England and trying my hardest to push for a place in the squad this summer.

One game won't change my mind, one slight error won't change my mind

Kevin Keegan

"If the season had been scattered with those sort of mistakes then it might be different, but they have hardly happened at all this season.

"I'm not going to sulk around. I'm going to join up with England, tackle things in a professional way and see what happens from there."

Kevin Keegan said he saw no reason why James should feel too downhearted.

"It hasn't made any difference at all," said the England coach. "He has had a great season.

" You can look back on every keeper over the season and say `he made a mistake there, he made a mistake there'. You can look at David Seaman and say that.

"One game won't change my mind, one slight error won't change my mind.

"Richard Wright will be relieved to know if he does make the odd mistake I won't hold it against him.

I have four very good goalkeepers to choose from and Nigel Martyn is the other one.

"I'm looking forward to working with David James, I haven't had a chance to have a close look at him before."