Warnock shock at England call-up

Blackburn defender Stephen Warnock has admitted his call-up to the England squad has come as a complete surprise.

The 26-year-old has been named as part of Fabio Capello's 31-man squad for the friendlies against the USA and Trinidad and Tobago.

"I'm more shocked than anything," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"It's a bit of a surprise because I wasn't expecting it. I'd booked holidays fully expecting to have a bit of a break."

"I knew that if I came to Blackburn and played week-in, week-out I'd give myself a chance. That's turned out to be the right decision"
Stephen Warnock

Warnock is yet to win his first England cap, but was called up once by Sven Goran Eriksson in August 2005 for World Cup qualifiers against Wales and Northern Ireland.

"I actually got a phone call from Bents (David Bentley) on the way home from Birmingham saying 'Cancel your holidays you're going away with the England squad'. So that was the first I heard of it. It was a bit of a surprise to be honest."

After being called up before but not selected, Warnock said he is taking nothing for granted.

"I must be doing something right, but, I just hope it's enough to earn a start and try to show him (Capello) what I can do."

"I knew that if I came to Blackburn and played week-in, week-out I'd give myself a chance. That's turned out to be the right decision."

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