Carrick cannot wait for England chance with Ecuador

STUTTGART, June 25 (Reuters) England midfielder Michael Carrick is looking forward to the biggest game of his career after being told he will play against Ecuador in today's World Cup second round.

Carrick spoke openly about his selection in an interview published on the FA's website late last night, hours after coach Sven-Goran Eriksson had refused to confirm reports that the 24-year-old would play.

Yet to feature at the finals, Carrick said: ''When you are so close, to not get on the pitch is frustrating.

''You have to stick at it and train as hard as you can and hopefully you'll be repaid for that. Now I have been, so I want to take the chance and make the most of it.

''This is the biggest game of my career by far,'' he said, eclipsing Tottenham Hotspur's final game of last season when a defeat by West Ham United cost them a place in the Champions League qualifiers.

''But now obviously this is 10 times bigger than that and everything I have dreamed of.

''It is everything that I have worked towards since I started playing football.'' Explaining his defensive role on Sunday in a five-man midfield, tucking in behind Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, Carrick said it was ''probably holding more than the other two.

''It's pretty much as I've played for Tottenham all season so I'm comfortable doing that.

''Everyone has a role in the side and hopefully mine is to get a lot of possession for us, keep the ball and make things happen and give Frank and Stevie the freedom to go on and cause a bit of havoc in the last third.'' Gerrard and Lampard need to get forward at Stuttgart's Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion as Carrick's inclusion means Wayne Rooney will be playing as a lone striker up front.

Carrick will be playing his first competitive game for England after six caps in friendlies.

REUTERS PM RAI1430