Monday 23 April 2018 23:05, UK
Gary Cahill has refused to give up hope of going to the World Cup with England this summer, saying "everything is a possibility".
The Chelsea captain helped his side book a place in the FA Cup final against Manchester United, playing the full 90 minutes in Saturday's 2-0 win over Southampton at Wembley.
Gareth Southgate omitted Cahill from his most recent squad for the March friendlies against the Netherlands and Italy.
However, after starting Chelsea's last four games, Cahill is hoping he can play his way into Southgate's squad for this summer's tournament in Russia.
"Everything is a possibility when you're playing, hence why I'm happy to be back out there," said Cahill.
"Let's see what happens at the end of the season. We're in the [FA Cup] final now, the World Cup is coming. Let's wait and see."
Cahill, who was left out of Antonio Conte's side for three successive games in March and April, says he is under no pressure to demonstrate his ability as he returns to peak physical condition.
"I've always said the same thing. Whenever I've been out of the team, you don't just disappear, you don't just turn into a bad player overnight," said Cahill.
"Form, if you ride it out, you come back to the level you should be at. I thought I played well (against Southampton), I thought I did well against Burnley, and you can do as much running as you want but to get match fit, match
sharp, you need to be out there.
"I realise that is the situation with everybody. I realise the manager has decisions to make. I realise maybe I'm not getting any younger.
"I'm fit, I'm ready to go. I don't feel like, in a weird way, that I need to prove anything. I've done it before, time and time again.
"I'm just happy to be out there and enjoying it. More than trying to prove anything, just being out there and enjoying doing one of the best jobs in the world, which is playing football.
"If I'm happy with the way I'm playing that is good enough for me because I know I am at the right level where I should be. I'm my own worst critic when I'm playing and I'm happy I had a solid game."
