WORLD CUP 2010: I'll play wherever Fabio Capello wants me to play! Jamie Carragher admits England u-turn

By Sportsmail Reporter

Jamie Carragher is happy to be England's flexible friend in South Africa this summer.  

One of the major reasons why Carragher announced his international retirement three years ago was he became fed up at being repeatedly overlooked to fill one of his favoured centre-half berths when either Rio Ferdinand or John Terry was unavailable.

U-turn: Carragher is happy to play anywhere under Capello's regime

U-turn: Carragher is happy to play anywhere under Capello's regime

Instead Carragher either remained on the bench or had to slot in at full-back, moves which led to growing resentment from the Liverpool star and ultimately internal questions about whether he was making a worthwhile contribution.  

In deciding to accept Fabio Capello's offer of an international return, Carragher has been happy to put such reservations aside. He clearly has a huge amount of respect for Capello's coaching ability, enough to accept making a contribution in any area of the field the Italian thinks is required. 

'Centre-back is my best position. I think everyone is aware of that,' said the 32-year-old.  'But if you look at the squad maybe the manager does see me playing a different position, which is something I will have to adapt to. 'Basically, I will just do whatever the manager says.'  

Carragher won his 35th cap on Monday night as a half-time substitute for Ferdinand, which gave him a chance to partner another old face returning to the England camp, Ledley King.  

However, as Capello looks to manipulate his squad, it is as cover for Liverpool team-mate Glen Johnson at right-back that Carragher's place in South Africa is likely to be earned.  

But I thought you'd only play at centre-half for England, Jamie? Pot and kettle, 'once a blue, always a blue', Wazza!

But I thought you'd only play at centre-half for England, Jamie? Pot and kettle, pal; 'once a blue, always a blue', Wazza!

Capello is also aware he could use the defender on the left side, or even in the holding midfield position that Gareth Barry seems unlikely to fill for the Group C opener against the United States in Rustenburg on June 12.  

Happily, it seems that particular vacancy will only be open for one game following the positive vibes that came from the scan Barry had on his ankle injury yesterday.  

Calling it a day: Carragher became frustrated at being played out of position for England

Calling it a day: Carragher became frustrated at being played out of position for England

Positive would also be an accurate description of the feeling about Carragher's chances of being among the 23 names Capello unveils as his World Cup squad on June 1.   

After all, there would seem little point in the Italian going out of his way to persuade Carragher to return, only to dump him at the first available opportunity.  Not that the player himself is taking anything for granted.  

'It's up to the manager,' reflected Carragher.  'There is another game against Japan and another week's training. After that we will see.' 

Perhaps surprisingly there seemed no antagonism either from the Wembley crowd on Monday for the comments he made in his autobiography, which admittedly were more pro-Liverpool than anti-England.  

'I thank the crowd for their reception,' Carragher said.  'As I said before the game I could understand it if they weren't too happy with my situation but I think they just wanted to get behind the team before the World Cup and send the squad out in good spirits.'