Osman hopeful of first England cap

Tonight could be the night for Leon Osman. Could the Evertonian finally make his bow on the international stage?

At 31-years-old he would be by no means the oldest débutante for England, but the Everton midfielder had begun to fear if his chance would ever come to represent his country.

The closest he had ever come was playing for the school boys at Under-15's and 16's level, but thanks to England boss Roy Hodgson his dream could come true in Sweden tonight.

'I hoped the chance of playing international football hadn't passed me by.

'I always said I would never give up hope and as an English lad you are dying to play for your country. Osman told the Football Association.

He continued: 'I was still hopeful but I had stopped worrying if it would happen.

'I've developed late in my career but it's great to be here and I'm hoping to get a cap.

Osman is obviously delighted with his England call-up, but he already has eyes on winning more caps with England.

He concluded: 'the character I am I know that once I have got one cap I'll want two caps, then four caps and so on. Hopefully I'll get the chance to do that.'

For readers in the UK the England game is on ITV this evening.

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