2010-09-03
Michael Dawson says being with the England squad at the World Cup was a "great experience" despite the country's dismal performance in the tournament.
Dawson was called-up after Rio Ferdinand's sustained an injury just before the competition kicked-off in South Africa. He did not play in any of England's four matches but, nonetheless, feel he developed as a player by being part of Fabio Capello's 23-man party.
"The World Cup was a great experience for me," said the Tottenham Hotspur defender. "I trained with the lads for two weeks over in Austria at the training camp and it was my dream to go to the World Cup although obviously not in the circumstances that it came about. It was devastating for Rio and, of course, the nation in losing the England captain. But for me it was an opportunity and a fantastic experience.
"It makes me hungry to want to get into the team and then be part of a big tournament and play in it."
Dawson made his England debut in the friendly against Hungary last month. He is, however, not expected to start in the Euro2012 qualifer against Bulgaria tonight.
"It's a team game and you're all fighting to be in that team. We all want the same thing," he added. "But when you're training you get on both on and off the pitch so we know that whoever plays tonight, we'll back them and hopefully they'll do well."