Stalwart Southgate makes a case for himself in defence

England's senior citizen is still high on ambition. Nick Townsend reports

Like an ageing but robust and still classy Daimler, Gareth Southgate has travelled the world in his country's cause since Terry Venables first selected him in 1995. There have been times when both England coaches since then have found a regular use for this familiar model.

Still blessed with reliability as he approaches veteran stage, the Middlesbrough defender remains a smooth, well-polished runner, even if in the past he has had occasion to misfire (just don't ask him to queue up for any forthcoming penalty shoot-outs). To the peace of mind of any England hierarchy, he is about as likely to be found inflicting some serious damage to a bar bill at a nightclub as the current England coach is of turning celibate.

At the age of 31, and a recipient of 47 caps, including one previous World Cup and two European Championships, he is deemed a "father figure" of this England squad. Yet that perception is what troubles him. "I've been here before and if I can be of help to the younger players, that's great," says the player who will never be permitted to forget that missed penalty in Euro 96. "But I've not just come here to carry the bags. I think that would be a distinct lack of ambition."

He adds, with feeling: "I'm aware it's important to be a good squad member. But I have to be careful with that because it could sound as if I'm happy to be here for the ride. I don't want to make decisions easy for people. I'm here to play. I feel very much that I've got a part to play on the field as much as off it. My intention is to be in the starting eleven. I feel that I have given myself every chance of being there with my form. I couldn't have worked any harder."

The fact that he was among the second-half replacements during the 1-1 draw against South Korea on Tuesday could suggest that he will play a similar role when Sweden are England's first World Cup opponents next Sunday. However, the fact that he took over the the captaincy from the substituted Michael Owen in that period could bode a better fate.

"It's great to do it and it's nice to be given that responsibility," he says of taking the armband. "But I'd sooner start the game than be captain for the second half."

To do so, it appears that he will have to oust Sol Campbell for the right to play alongside Rio Ferdinand. Southgate doesn't quite see it that way, however. "I don't see it as a straight one-to-one with Sol," he insists. "I believe I'm in competition with Rio, Sol and Martin [Keown] and I believe I'm as good as any of them. There's a consensus that Rio's the first choice. It may look that way and, if so, that's fine, but I just try to do what I do well. We all have different attributes. It's a case of what balance the manager wants really."

There is a belief that Southgate has suffered in the past because of a perception that he is more suited to playing in a defensive three, John Gregory's preferred system at Aston Villa. Whatever the truth of that assessment, he has escaped such stereotyping by joining Middlesbrough, whose manager, Steve McClaren, who is also one of Eriksson's aides, prefers a quartet.

"I've played in a back four under Terry [Venables], including in the side that beat Holland 4-1," he says. "But maybe I needed to prove I could do it week in, week out. I think I've shown that this season."

We were speaking on the verdant lawns of the media hotel which was adjacent to England's base on the island of Cheju before the squad departed for Kobe in Japan. Behind us a Korean couple in traditional dress were being photographed during their wedding reception. Not everyone, it appeared, had eyes only for the World Cup.

But in the England complex next door there was nothing but intense anticipation as the players awaited Eriksson's selection for today's friendly match against Cameroon, which may or may not, according to the state of injured players, have proved a guide to the starting eleven to face Sweden at Saitama.

One of the major problems of a lengthy time away from their families is boredom, which can cause homesick-ness among the younger players and a scope for disharmony generally. "You learn to occupy your time," says Southgate. "We played golf yesterday and got away from the hotel for the first time. The more you can do away from the hotel together as a team the more it helps the players to bond."

Word had only just filtered through about Roy Keane's departure home from the Republic of Ireland camp and the fracas between Sweden's Freddie Ljungberg and Olof Melberg. The latter pair brought to mind the game against Eriksson's compatriots.

Southgate confirmed Eriksson's assessment that Ljungberg is one of Sweden's major dangers. "It's difficult to pick players up from midfield if they make late runs. But you have to try to deal with it and read what they are doing," he says. "At least it's something we're aware of now. We can't say, if it happens, 'nobody told us about that'."

If he does start, Southgate is more likely to be concerned with the threat of Henrik Larsson. "I played against him in a qualifier for Euro 2000," the centre-back recalls. "I thought he was very sharp and worked tremendously hard for the team. He also takes his goals well, as we've seen at Celtic. It will be a very tough game."

Maybe one in which Eriksson will decide it is appropriate to employ England's most experienced defender within the party.