GARETH SOUTHGATE was steeling himself for more England disappointment last night after Sol Campbell confirmed he was fit for the defining moment of their Euro 2004 qualifying campaign.

After Southgate was dropped to make way for Campbell for last October's game with Macedonia, much to the Middlesbrough defender's anger, he is set to be left on the bench for tomorrow's crucial match with Turkey at the Stadium of Light.

Campbell, 28, missed Saturday's 2-0 victory at Liechtenstein with an Achilles injury but he came through yesterday's training session at Slaley Hall unscathed.

Southgate, who won his 52nd cap at the weekend, and Newcastle United's Jonathan Woodgate will have to contend with a place among the substitutes at best as the Arsenal man partners Rio Ferdinand at centre-back tomorrow.

Campbell said: "My Achilles is stable at the moment. I've had a few days' rest, which was very important for me, and I'm up for selection.

"It was hard to play 90 minutes twice in three days last week for Arsenal, and I still get stiffness in the morning.

"But it just needs time, and it depends on how I manage it throughout the season.

"I missed two Arsenal games, against Roma and Blackburn. It was painful after the first FA Cup tie with Chelsea, and the next day I couldn't run.

"It was still sore before the Blackburn game and I wouldn't have been able to do myself justice."

Southgate, 32, is confident his international career is not over after his weekend comments that Sven-Goran Eriksson was placing too great an emphasis on youth.

He said: "Most of the articles I read as a result of the interview were absolutely fine, but a few put a slant on things which was hard to fathom.

"It's difficult to understand how the same interview can be interpreted so differently.

"The main thrust of what I was trying to say was that we have so many young players in the squad because the experienced alternatives are thin on the ground.

"The reason for that is the number of foreign imports in the Premiership. I stand by that and the rest of what I said.

"It certainly wasn't a criticism of Mr Eriksson and I wouldn't expect him to take it that way.

"I don't intend to speak to him about what I said and I don't expect him to take the matter up with me.

"There was certainly no criticism of him from me. I treasure my involvement with the national squad and it still means a great deal to me. I hope and trust this will not jeopardise my international future."

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