Shorey keeps feet on the ground
Nicky Shorey is not getting carried away with the prospect of being involved in the crunch Euro 2008 qualifier against Russia in Moscow.
The Reading full-back is one of the men on stand-by to return to the starting XI with Ashley Cole forced out by the ankle injury sustained during the second half of the 3-0 defeat of Estonia at Wembley on Saturday.
"It is all ifs and buts. The team is not going to be picked now. We will reassess, get some training in and go from there," the 26-year-old said. "You always want to play, but it is hard in the national team when there are so many good players."
"I am just happy to be involved and do whatever I can for the team," he added.
Shorey admitted the prospect of 90 minutes on an artificial pitch was going to be a new experience, but one which England can meet head-on.
"A lot of people have probably not played on one," he said. "However, that is what we have to do in Russia and we will just get on with it, be positive and go out there to put in another performance.
"We know it is going to be a tough encounter, especially away on their home pitch - but we have got the players who are good enough to play on any stage."
