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Portsmouth No1 James plays down Chelsea gaffe

Portsmouth goalkeeper David James hopes his gaffe against Chelsea won't be held against him as he seeks a fresh England chance.

The 37-year-old allowed Frank Lampard's shot to squirm under his body and into the net to gift Chelsea a hard-fought 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge.

Many have tipped James to replace Paul Robinson in goal for September's Euro qualifiers against Israel and Russia.

And he told BBC Radio 5live: "You can't go through a career without making errors. I know I am under the microscope.

"Frank did what Frank always does which is shoot well on target from distance. There was a deflection but I could not understand how the goal went in. I thought I had done everything right.

"But the deflection would explain why it went under my hand and not on my hand.

"Had I not been involved in the last squad then there would not have been any questions or much issue about what went on at Chelsea. Every professional who wants to be at the top level has got to expect that. It is par for the course in some respects.

"What happens with the next squad, we will have to see. But to play at Wembley in a qualifier would be another dream come true."

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