Middlesbrough defender David Wheater admits the recognition he's received from Fabio Capello has made him determined to break into the full England squad.

"I know if I am playing well I can get in the team," he told the Sunday Telegraph. "I feel I can achieve my England ambitions at Middlesbrough. Obviously it helps if we are doing well.

"I thought I might get in the team the last time. I was playing well enough and Capello said I might have been in the squad if I wasn't with the Under-21s in an important qualifier.

"It was marvellous when he was talking about me. I phoned my dad straight away and said, 'Fabio said my name!' I was in my front room watching the television. It was fall-off-the-chair time.

"Stewart [Downing] has shown the way. He's been in the England squad for a few years. I don't see any reason why not. Capello will see games or he will have a scout there. I just have to keep playing well. It might be on your mind before you play, but you don't think about it during the game. All you need to do is play well."