Sol Campbell, the Portsmouth defender, has revealed he is weighing up his England future before the new incumbent takes his place in Soho Square.

Campbell, the former Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur player, is considering devoting his time and energy to securing a European place for Portsmouth.

His unexpected England comeback was initially successful, but took a downward turn as defeats to Russia and Croatia cost England a place in the Euro 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland next summer.

With the FA expected to name Fabio Capello, the Italian, as Steve McClaren’s replacement by the end of the week, Campbell faces a conundrum.

“I will just see who comes in before deciding what I do about England,” Campbell, capped 73 times by England, said.

“I’ll see what happens. I don’t want to go through that situation again where I’m out of the team for such a long time.

Campbell, along with David James, the Portsmouth goalkeeper, were two of the main casualties of the regime of Sven-Goran Eriksson, the former England manager. Both were recalled over the course of the qualifying campaign.

While James, the former Liverpool goalkeeper, has vowed to make himself available for selection until otherwise by the new manager, Campbell is not sure if there is an England future for him.

“I’ve played four England games I never expected to play,” said Campbell. “I was in there because some of the guys were injured. It’s a shame it ended like it did because I’ve never been in a position of not qualifying before, but I wanted to play for England again. Now I’ll just wait before deciding what to do in the future.”

Fabio Capello is likely to be confirmed as the new England head coach by the end of the week, but Campbell has not given up hope of his current manager at Portsmouth, Harry Redknapp, succeeding McClaren.

“I think Harry will be good but it really depends on the FA and who they talk to,” Campbell added. “I’m not too bothered if it’s a foreign manager. Of course we all want an Englishman but it’s down to the FA to do it right.”

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