Carracher set for England return – reports

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher could be set for a dramatic return to international football by joining Fabio Capello’s squad for South Africa, according to press reports on Saturday.

The 32-year-old Anfield stalwart walked away from the England setup three years ago, after venting his frustrations at his lack of appearances.

He won the last of his 34 caps against Brazil in May 2007, but was already harbouring serious doubts over his future, having been consistently overlooked, first by Sven Goran Eriksson, then Steve McClaren.

Carragher has repeatedly said that has no regrets about that decision, but Capello reportedly never gave up hope that he would change his mind in an emergency.

That emergency appears to have arrived with Joleon Lescott and Wes Brown major doubts after missing the latter part of the season through injury, Rio Ferdinand only just recovered from a groin problem and Ledley King unable to train due to chronic knee trouble.

A number of English newspapers claimed that Capello, who is due to name his 30-man provisional squad on Tuesday, is set to include Carragher. It is also believed King could be named in the squad.

Two training camps in Austria and friendlies against Mexico and Japan offer the perfect chance to see how both men fit in to the Italian’s planning. The final 23-man squad is announced on June 1.