Devastated Michael Dawson insists he will overcome his World Cup heartache to ensure he realises his dream of playing for England.
The Tottenham defender was one of the seven unfortunate players to receive the dreaded telephone call from head coach Fabio Capello as he cut his initial 30-man party down to the 23 to travel to South Africa.
Dawson has admitted he feared the worst after not making it onto the field in England's final warm-up matches against Mexico and Japan and the talented centre-back is still to win a first cap for his country.
The former Nottingham Forest man, who moved to White Hart Lane in a £4million deal in January 2005, has previous squad experience under Steve McClaren, although he is still to set foot onto the field for the Three Lions.
The 26-year-old said: "It was a great honour for me to be involved in the 30-man squad. To end the season and get the call to be involved was fantastic, and a chance to go to the World Cup was a dream.
"Unfortunately the dream was cut on Tuesday when I got a call. It was devastating to get that call, but seven people had to get it and unfortunately I was one of them.
"I was told in a phone call from Mr Capello, he just phoned and said 'I'm sorry, but you haven't made the plane,' but I am in his thoughts for the Euros.
"It was a quick call. I was devastated.
"But, without a shadow of a doubt, it has made me more determined to win my first cap.
"I've always been determined. I was in quite a few squads under Steve McClaren but didn't get a cap then. In the two-and-a-half or three years I haven't been in the squad I've always dreamed of playing for England.
"The dreams have never stopped and they are still there now."
Dawson admitted one of the major disappointments of his time with the England squad in the past fortnight was not being given the opportunity to show the manager what he could do in the unconvincing victories over Mexico and Japan, despite giving his all during the training camp in Austria.
He said: "I was gutted not to get a chance to play in the two games or get a run-out in either of them, that was a big disappointment for me.
"When Sunday night came, I thought it wasn't looking too promising for the World Cup. You never give up hope, but I hadn't played a minute in either of the games.
"I had thought Mr Capello would want to have a look at me, but the manager makes his decision and you have to respect them. I was devastated not to get any time on the field.
"Everyone was working their socks off in training to try and make sure they made it, but he could only take 23 and some people had to miss out."
Dawson will put his personal woe to one side when England take to the field in their opening game against USA on 12th June, and believes Capello has selected a squad capable of ending a 44-year wait for international glory.
And he paid tribute to White Hart Lane team-mate Ledley King, who has overcome long-term concerns over his knees to remain a key player at club level and now has the chance to shine in the global showpiece.
"I hope they can go all the way," he said. "I've been training with them for two weeks but I'm not in the squad so I'll be a fan now watching them. I want them to do well, you want your country to do well and I want the lads to do well.
"They have got a fantastic squad, it is world-class and they have got a great chance.
"Leds has had a great season this year. It has been hard for him sometimes dealing with injuries, and I know that as a footballer there is nothing worse than being injured.
"Credit to him, whenever he has played he has been brilliant, so I wish Leds all the best. I dropped him a text when the squad came out and he certainly deserves to be going."
