Rickie Lambert says he has not given up on an England recall, and hopes his recent move can help propel him back into Roy Hodgson’s thoughts.
Lambert, 33, completed his move from Liverpool to West Bromwich Albion on 31 July, and says he is hoping more first-team appearances will give him the chance to get back into the England squad.
“That is something in the future which I will never give up,” Lambert said.
“My character, my personality... obviously nobody would expect me to do that but you have just got to believe in yourself and hopefully if I play like I did in a couple of seasons at Southampton then there’s no reason why I can’t get back in there.”
Lambert last featured for England during the 3-1 victory against Scotland in Glasgow in November 2014.
It was against the same opposition, in August 2013, that the Kirby-born forward made a scoring debut as the Three Lions overcame Gordon Strachan’s side 3-2 at Wembley.
Rickie Lambert celebrates after scoring on his England debut
He also netted against Moldova and Ecuador, and says he is confident he can rediscover that form.
“It is only two years ago that I scored against Scotland,” he continued, in an interview with the Birmingham Mail.
“I scored 15 goals and then 13 goals for Southampton and obviously it is over a year since I did that but I have just got to get back to that now.
“I’ve just got to ignore the comments and focus on my football.
“I feel as if I’ve got a point to prove to myself. That’s always the biggest drive, yourself. And it will carry on being that way.”
Rickie Lambert scored two goals for Liverpool
Lambert completed his transfer to WBA just in time to take part in the friendly against former side Bristol Rovers for Phil Kite’s testimonial.
And he will be glad he did, after making a scoring start to his Baggies career.
“Being my old club I’ve got some fond memories there,” he continued.
“I got some minutes under my belt having not played a lot in pre-season, so I thought it was important to push it through. I feel good for it.
“We’ve got a long week ahead of us now and I’ll be aiming to impress the manager and try and get into the first team”
Rickie Lambert WBA
“As the game went on I felt better in myself fitness-wise, sharp-wise.
“It was a long day with the medical and getting up at 5am and travelling.
“We’ve got a long week ahead of us now and I’ll be aiming to impress the manager and try and get into the first team.”
West Brom and Lambert face a tricky start to their Premier League campaign with the visit of 2014-15 runners-up Manchester City on 10 August.
They then travel to Watford for their first away game of the season on 15 August, before welcoming champions Chelsea to the Hawthorns eight days later.
