BAINESY

By The Nark End
March 2 2010

LEIGHTON BAINES HOPING TO GET THE CHANCE TO IMPRESS IN ENGLAND'S FRIENDLY AGAINST EGYPT TOMORROW NIGHT AT WEMBLEY....

Leighton Baines is hoping for a chance to stake his claim for an England World Cup place.

The Everton defender was called up by Fabio Capello for Wednesday's friendly with Egypt.

With Wayne Bridge unavailable to England and Ashley Cole injured, the left-back spot is up for grabs and Baines and Aston Villa's Stephen Warnock look likely to be the main contenders with this week's game their first chance to impress.

"I was delighted to get called up," Baines said. "Obviously it's been on my mind for one reason or another and people have been talking about it so it was nice to get the call.

"The fact that Everton have been playing so well has helped. We've done very well in the last couple of months and the good teams get noticed."

Baines was in the England squad in March 2009 but didn't actually play in games against Slovakia and Ukraine.

"I'm looking forward to the experience and just hope I get an opportunity," he said.

"I think every player in and around the squad will be thinking about the World Cup. It's a way off yet but it's only natural for it to be on your mind."