England coach Roy Hodgson insists Southampton striker Ricki Lambert has every chance of making his World Cup squad - should they qualify.
Lambert is set to make his England debut against Scotland this week.
Hodgson said: "It would be better if he was 24 and not 32, but on the other hand our intention is to do well first on Wednesday and then in these autumn games where we are trying to qualify for Brazil," the England manager said.
"If Rickie Lambert can help us do that and maybe when we get there, do well in the tournament, then I will quite happily turn a blind eye to the fact that he is 32 at that time because it's not age that plays football, it's human beings.
"You get very fit and healthy 33-year-olds and you get 24-year-olds who are not in the best of shape."
