Portsmouth keeper David James insists he is not worried by his persistent calf injury stopping him from being selected for the England World Cup squad. The 39-year-old England shot-stopper has only played twice since the end of October but is not concerned that he will not be able to return to top form.

He concedes that both club and country duties are of equal importance and insists his fitness is not suffering because of his spell on the sidelines.

"This is just one injury," he said in The Times. "My fitness is not a problem.

"As regards the England scenario, my focus has to be on Portsmouth because I can't have one without the other."

The experienced goalkeeper is far from assured of a starting place in Fabio Capello's World Cup side, and certain quarters have argued that his age will hamper his recovery.

"Age doesn't register with me," he added. "It genuinely is just a number in that respect.

"People go on about you getting older and things happen, blah, blah. But you know what? You're only as old you feel."