Cabaye keen to exploit English knowledge

France midfielder Yohan Cabaye is aiming to start his side’s Euro 2012 campaign on a positive note against England in their first group game.

Cabaye was brought to England by Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew last off-season and has impressed during his debut Premier League campaign, which has led to a more prominent role in the international setup.

And he believes that the exposure to the English game will serve him well against Roy Hodgson’s men.

“I think my first season in England is going to help me to do the right things with the French national team,” he told the Newcastle’s official website.

“Now the season with Newcastle is over I am very focussed on the competition and I cannot wait to know if I am in the 23-man squad or not.”

Following France’s disastrous World Cup 2010 campaign, where Les Bleus failed to make it out of the group stage, Cabaye knows his international team-mates need to keep focused and not get ahead of themselves.

The 26-year-old is yet to experience tournament football with Laurent Blanc’s side, only making his senior debut under two years ago, but is targeting at least a quarter-final berth.

“We have to have a main target of getting through the group stage,” Cabaye said.

“The first game against England will be very important for us, to start right and to give us confidence for the next two games.

“After that, anything is possible but we have to be focused on going through to the quarter-final.”