West Brom keeper Scott Carson admits his hopes of earning a place in England's World Cup squad this summer are fading fast. The shot-stopper has been in excellent form for the Baggies this season as they chase automatic promotion from the Championship and an immediate return to the Premier League.

The 24-year-old has since slipped out of England reckoning, having earned his most-recent cap in a friendly against Germany back in 2008.

The former Liverpool man said in the Daily Star: "I don't think there's any chance of going to the World Cup. Obviously I would like to. I am just putting my head down and trying to improve.

"Then next time we are in the Premiership, touch wood, then hopefully I can have a good season and I can think about it.

"But England is at the back of my mind at the minute. I am trying to concentrate on playing consistently well.

"Mr Capello's first thoughts are for the Premiership. There are a number of keepers ahead of me in the pecking order.

"I would settle for a place in the squad, but promotion is more important to me. I am only 24, so hopefully I have got another 10 or 15 years and some more World Cups."