BRFC Articles

Sutton on song

How did you feel after your England call-up?

"It came as a big surprise. I can't deny I was shocked and didn't expect it. But it was a pleasant shock all the same. Apart from everything that has happened in the past, I'd only just started playing a week earlier and my fitness was not all it should have been. So I guess to get called-up and be recognised is a major step forward in my career. Obviously I was encouraged by the appointment of Kevin Keegan and the fact that he had made it clear that the state was wiped clean for everybody. Nonetheless, it happened a lot quicker than even I could expect."

Did you give up hope of ever playing for England again?

"You never give up hope, do you? I think the chances of playing under Glenn Hoddle was pretty remote. But then football has a funny habit of changing things, in my case changing my prospects. You could say the hand of fate intervened and when Kevin Keegan was appointed, my hope increased. I've made mistakes in the past and I'm the first to hold up my hands and admit that. At least I can now look forward to the future and perhaps this could be a major turning point in my international career."

You must be disappointed that your return was cut short by injury?

"Absolutely. But I can understand the manager sending a few of us home. I've been honest from the start and my fitness is a long way off being right. When you pick up a niggling injury it's all part of the recuperation process. I desperately need to get some games under my belt and it's no good being with England if my fitness isn't right. I wouldn't be able to do my country or myself justice."

How do you see your chances of becoming an England regular?

"You just have to take one step at a time. It goes without saying that competition for places up front is very competitive and the quality is phenomenal. There are far more established players ahead of me and the only way I'm going to force the issue is to play well for Blackburn. That's my priority, to be playing and scoring goals for Blackburn. For me, to be involved again is good enough."

How do you feel about your season so far?

"Nothing short of a disaster. The team have struggled and my absence hasn't helped the cause. But you have to accept these things. We all hate injuries, but they're part of the game. It's frustrating more than anything else. I've been working hard to get back and I'm desperate to get a run of games together. Unfortunately it's not happened and I just have to keep plugging away."

Was it difficult when Brian Kidd replaced Roy Hodgson?

"Irrespective of the change and no matter who it is, it's always an unsettling period initially. A new manager has new ideas and he wants to stamp his authority on the team immediately. Blackburn's situation didn't help either. Something had to be done as a matter of urgency. But it doesn't matter who you are and what reputation you have, when someone new comes in you're all judged equally."

Can Blackburn beat relegation this season?

"We're in a desperate position and it goes without saying that we need to put a run of wins together. If we want to stay in the Premiership we have to start playing like a top-six side. Of course there is pressure, we all know that, but we have a quality side and we should be good enough to get out of trouble. I think it's right though when people say you're never too good to go down. The next couple of months will be crucial."

What about your own future?

"My immediate priority is to regain my fitness and battle to keep Blackburn up this season. Anything else is just a distraction right now. There has been a lot of speculation about my future, but it is just speculation. I'm just keeping my head down and working hard on my game and if Blackburn survive, it's a good job done by everybody."