WAYNE BRIDGE is dreaming of playing in the World Cup finals - because of an injury crisis at Southampton three years ago.

Bridge was initially making solid, if largely unspectacular, progress as a left-sided midfield player with the Saints. But it all changed when Francis Benali and Patrick Colleter were injured at the same time and left then manager Dave Jones with a hole to fill at left-back.

He opted for Bridge, who took to the role like a duck to water - and has since not looked back.

Jones's successor, Glenn Hoddle, told Bridge he would eventually play for England.

That belief came true when, after impressing with the under-21s, he made his debut against Holland in Amsterdam last month.

Bridge and Aston Villa striker Darius Vassell were the two players who played well enough to put forward a legitimate case for making an 11th-hour breakthrough into Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad for Japan and Korea. Now, in tonight's friendly international with Italy at Elland Road, Bridge will be looking to confirm the initial impression that he looked at home on the highest stage.

Bridge admitted: "It all changed for me three years ago when we had a couple of players out injured and Dave Jones tried me out at left-back against Wimbledon.

"I tended to track back quite a bit as a midfielder - I had a good engine so I could get up and down - but I didn't actually see myself as a defender.

"I did okay and he kept me there for the rest of that season and I've been there virtually ever since. I think I've now played something like 80 games on the trot for Southampton.

"David Jones gave me the chance there but all the managers I've had have believed in my ability.

"Glenn Hoddle showed a lot of faith in me and said that I had the potential to go on and play for England one day. When anyone says that, it gives you a boost and makes you feel good."

Bridge admitted: "What happened in Holland was a great experience for me and I would say I now feel more confident. I felt I did okay. I got a bit of an injury which meant I had to come off at half-time, but I felt I did pretty well at the back and got forward a few times.

"Mind you, when I got back to the training ground at Southampton, the manager and the players gave me a lot of stick and soon brought me back down to earth!

"But I am starting to get recognised a little in Southampton now. Before, no one would recognise me at all. I could get on with my business unnoticed. That's changed. I like that - sometimes."

Bridge added: "If someone had said in August that I'd have a chance of going to the World Cup, I'd have been very surprised. I was really looking to play as well as I could for Southampton and the under-21s and take things on from there.

"Like anyone, I would love to go to the finals. But I am just trying to concentrate on the friendlies coming up and will be looking to play well and progress.

"People ask whether playing for what they describe as an 'old fashioned club' like Southampton is a handicap but the manager has shown he will give people a chance. He picked Chris Powell of Charlton. He will give people an opportunity if they are playing well. That's what I am aiming to do."

Bridge is philosophical when asked if he is unfortunate to be emerging at the same time as first-choice left-back Ashley Cole.

He said: "It's good competition for England. Ashley has been playing really well. I've just got to get my head down, try and play well if I get a game, and keep on improving.

"I had to work on being a left-back when Dave Jones put me there and things have got better - but they can still get better."