McCarthy hopes to make it 3rd time lucky with England

Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy is hoping to make it third time lucky and finally make his England debut in the coming week.

The 28-year-old is included alongside Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland in the England football squad to face Spain and Switzerland and hopes to finally make his international debut, reports Xinhua news agency.

McCarthy was given his first England call by Roy Hodgson in 2013 and was again named by Sam Allardyce in 2016, but never got the chance to play; now he has received another call on the back of his excellent displays which saw him named as Southampton's player of the season for 2017-18.

"Obviously I've been called up for a reason, but it's a time for me to go out there and prove what I can do," the goalkeeper told the media, before saying he hoped this time to finally gets the chance to play. "It's an unbelievable feeling to be back here," he said.

Pickford will start as first choice after his excellent performances in the World Cup, but McCarthy explained he hoped to try and convince coach Southgate.

"I've enough time to sort of show him what I can do and at the end of the day, I want to give him a decision to make," he said.

"I've been in two squads before but that was quite a while ago, so obviously after the World Cup and everything that has gone on it's been a positive for English football," continued the goalkeeper, who said he was proud to form part of the national set up.

"When you are growing up as a kid, all you want to do is play football and represent your country. If I do get my chance, I know I will take it. I will be overwhelmed and obviously it will be a very proud moment for me and my family," commented McCarthy.

--IANS

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