Stewart Downing eyes run in England side

STEWART Downing has set his sights on finally earning an extended run with England - six years after making his international debut.

The Aston Villa winger was part of the 2006 World Cup squad and started the opening three Euro 2008 qualifiers but is only now starting to re- establish himself as an England force. Downing was voted Villa's player of the year for 2010-11 and made his first start for his country in more than two years against Ghana in March.

Now the 26-year-old is looking to build on that breakthrough in Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier with Switzerland at Wembley. He said: "It's been frustrating. I've been in and out and you just want a run as a player, to get in the squad or the team. Maybe I am rebuilding my international career. I'm feeling confident. Hopefully I will play some part and show the manager I'm good enough to be here and to play. Every trip you go on you've got to prove yourself and constantly impress the manager. One iffy performance and you are out. In club terms it's been a disappointing season but, in the end, we got the job done.

"There's been no hiding place but we finished quite strongly. I've finished the season quite well so I just want to keep on playing."