Lambert determined to earn England call

The Southampton striker has adjusted to Premier League football superbly after spending most of his career in the lower leagues and his 11 goals make him the joint-leading English scorer in the division with Arsenal's Theo Walcott.

Lambert is ahead of Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe, Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck, all of whom have made Roy Hodgson's squad for Wednesday's friendly at Wembley.

The 30-year-old revealed he has not been contacted by any of the England staff despite his form, and said: "I was disappointed (not to be in the squad).

"I'm not saying I was expecting it but I was hoping, and it wasn't to be. But hopefully I can show until the end of the season that I am good enough, not just that I deserve a chance but that I am good enough.

"If it comes, it comes and if it doesn't, it doesn't. I'm just going to try to help Southampton, try to score goals and push Southampton up the league table.

"I'm not going to focus on the England squad too much but I am hoping I can get a chance."

Leon Osman's debut for England at the age of 31 against Sweden in November has given hope to those players frequently overlooked, and Lambert believes his time could come.

The former Rochdale and Bristol Rovers striker said: "I don't think my age is a hindrance. I've just got to try to prove to them that I'm good enough.

"I've got quite a lot of games left to do that."

Lambert was on the scoresheet again yesterday as Southampton drew 2-2 with Wigan in a game they came from behind to lead with five minutes to go only for Shaun Maloney to net a 90th-minute equaliser.

It was new boss Mauricio Pochettino's third game in charge and the point left Saints three points above the relegation zone.

Lambert said of the Argentinian: "He likes to press all over the pitch and you could see that. We didn't want to give them any time to play football. It worked here and hopefully it'll improve again for the next game.

"I know the ambition of the club is to push on but we all realise the situation we're in. We're nowhere near safe at the minute so our focus is to pull away from the relegation zone. At the moment we are in a relegation fight."

Saints can justifiably feel they have not got their just desserts under Pochettino, with three very good performances yielding only two points.

Against Manchester United on Wednesday they lost 2-1 despite Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson praising Saints' second-half display as the best from a visiting side at Old Trafford this season.

"It was a very nice compliment and that gave a boost to the lads," said Lambert. "Obviously it was something good to come from a game we got nothing out of. We've got confidence in ourselves and we'll take that into our next game."

Next up for Southampton is a home game against champions Manchester City on Saturday and Lambert has a personal milestone in his sights.

He has scored 99 goals from 183 games for Saints and added: "I knew I was on 98 and it would have been nice to score two but I'm confident it will come sooner rather than later. I'm not going to be stressing over it.

"It would mean a lot. I don't focus on figures like that but when I retire that's when I'll look back and think it's a good achievement.

"Obviously I'm trying to score to help the team win a game or get a point so that's what I'll be looking to do next week, not to try to get the 100th goal."