Parker Looks To World Cup

Providing Sven Goran Eriksson's men can reach Germany, the former Charlton and Chelsea ace is determined to force his way into the Swede's plans by continuing to impress on Tyneside.

Scott Parker: "Obviously I'm playing golf today and I'm looking forward to it. But I'd have loved to be in the England squad. It wasn't meant to be but I'll keep working hard and maybe next time.

"Obviously I was out for a long time last year and I'm just finding my feet and getting back into it. I do feel I have been performing reasonably well for Newcastle and I was hoping maybe I'd have got the shout but it wasn't to be. I'll keep working hard and see what happens. All I can do is keep performing well for Newcastle. We're on a good run now, have come out of some good results and if we keep it going, when a team does well, individuals thrive on that, so hopefully I'll be one.

"The World Cup is the aim. I think when I came to Newcastle that was one of the main reasons other than playing football. I didn't get a lot of games at Chelsea so I came here to play football and obviously try and establish myself again in the Premier League and prove to everyone I can do a job here. I'm really looking forward to it."