STEWART Downing has dismissed suggestions that Sunday's international friendly in Trinidad & Tobago is an unwanted extension to the season, and claimed World Cup qualifying places will be up for grabs in Port of Spain.

The importance of England's final summer friendly was reduced yesterday when Fabio Capello left seven of his leading lights out of the party that travelled to the Caribbean.

Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Bridge were the only Manchester United or Chelsea players to fly out of Luton Airport, with Capello resting the majority of those involved in this month's Champions League final in Moscow.

While the absence of the likes of Frank Lampard and Owen Hargreaves increases Downing's chances of winning his 18th cap in the Hasely Crawford Stadium, the significance of this weekend's game has been questioned in a number of quarters.

Downing, however, refutes claims that Sunday's match is irrelevant, claiming that an impressive display could be enough to book a starting spot for September's World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Croatia.

"Obviously, we are all hugely disappointed to have missed out on the European Championships,"

said the Middlesbrough winger. "But there is still a lot to play for as World Cup qualifiers are just around the corner.

"The new manager has come in and told all the players they start from the same point. They have to impress him to get in the team - it's as simple as that. If you want a place in the team, you're going to have to get it on merit by playing well in as many matches as you can."

Downing is still to make an England start under Capello - his only outing under the Italian was as a second-half substitute in March's 1-0 defeat to France - but he is likely to start on the left of midfield if England stick with a 4-4-2 formation on Sunday.

With Aston Villa winger Ashley Young also in the squad, he could find himself back on the bench if Capello was to switch to a three-man attack, but he would still be almost certain to be involved at some stage given the large number of substitutions allowed.

Similarly, Boro team-mate David Wheater will hope to make his international debut after John Terry , Wes Brown and Ashley Cole were excused the trip to Trinidad.

It is now more than three years since Downing won his first cap against Holland, but despite featuring under three different England managers, the 23-year-old still struggles to shake off the tag of being Steve McClaren's man'.

Admittedly, the former Middlesbrough boss awarded Downing the majority of his caps, but Capello's desire to continue naming him in senior international squads confirms the quality of the winger's recent performances in the Premier League.

"Three England managers have now chosen me and that makes me very proud," said Downing. "But I know I have a battle to keep on winning a place in the England squad and then to try and force my way into the team.

"If I get my chance, I have to take it with both hands. I have done reasonably well in some England games, but I know I could do a lot better and that's what I have to do under Mr Capello."