Harry Redknapp is confident Michael Dawson's outstanding performances will force Fabio Capello to include him in England's World Cup squad.
Dawson has been is consistent form at the heart of the Spurs defence this season but has been strangely overlooked by the Italian.
But with Spurs in the semi-final of the FA Cup and chasing fourth place in the Premier League, Dawson's claims may soon be hard to ignore.
Redknapp said: "Michael is having the most fantastic season. If you're looking for a central defender to play for England or be in the squad, you won't do any better than him.
"England have a couple of great central defenders in Rio Ferdinand and John Terry, but in Michael and Ledley King we have a couple of great centre-halves here. I'm sure those two lads have a big chance."
Dawson, who has been wearing the captain's armband, is unlikely to be risked at Sunderland this weekend after picking up an Achilles injury as Spurs seek to give him the best possible chance of being available for the Wembley clash with Portsmouth.
