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Rob Green hopes to be called up by Roy Hodgson for the World Cup despite being out of the England side for more than a year.
The 33-year-old started the 2010 finals as first‑choice goalkeeper but was dropped by Fabio Capello after gifting the United States an equaliser in the opening game.
Green has not been in the squad since Euro 2012 and won the last of his 12 caps under Hodgson in a pre‑tournament friendly against Norway.
But he has shone for Queens Park Rangers this season, helping the Championship side set a club record of eight clean sheets in a row. And with England qualifying for the World Cup thanks to a 2-0 win over Poland on Tuesday, Green is optimistic of a call-up.
He told Standard Sport: “I’d love to go to Brazil — I haven’t ruled out playing for England again. There have been keepers who have played for their country at 40, so that gives me another seven years.
“There are a lot of keepers now playing in the Premier League — Joe Hart, John Ruddy, Dave Stockdale, Ben Foster when he’s fit, plus there is Fraser Forster up in Scotland. But if we [QPR] keep up our good form and the call came in, I’d definitely want to be involved.
“As much as I want to be at the World Cup, I can’t put myself on the plane. What I can control is playing for QPR and if I keep playing well, be part of a successful season and don’t go, I’ll still be happy with that.”
Some goalkeepers have quit international football after losing a starting role but Green would grab the chance to go to Brazil, even if it was only as cover for Hart.
He added: “I’d never say no. It’s not every summer that you get to go to Brazil and be part of a World Cup squad.
“It’s tough being at a major championship and not playing because the intensity is there, but the games aren’t. But at the same time it’s a World Cup and people would kill for the chance.
“I watched both qualifiers and they were really positive performances. While England won’t get to play in those conditions in Brazil, the two games invigorated everybody and there is a really good atmosphere.”
