BLACKBURN midfielder David Thompson today vowed to bounce back bigger and stronger for his England experience after watching last night's 2-2 draw with Macedonia from the stands.

The former Liverpool star had hoped to be given the opportunity to show Sven Goran Eriksson what he can do after being handed a dream call-up last week.

But, after failing to figure in either last night's game at St Mary's or the 2-1 win in Slovakia at the weekend, the 25-year-old insists he's now even more determined than ever to forge a career for himself on the international stage.

And he remains confident he will get another chance to stake his claim soon as Eriksson continues his search for the answer to the problem on the left hand side of England's midfield.

"The last 10 days or so has been a great experience," said Thompson, speaking exclusively to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

"I've really enjoyed training with all the lads and, if anything, it's made me even hungrier to taste more of it.

"I didn't really think I was going to figure, to be honest, but it's still a bit of a blow when you hear you're not on the bench and you're not going to play a part.

"But this was a great chance for me to come down here and show the manager what I can do and show him that I've got a good attitude.

"The backroom staff have given me plenty of words of encouragement. They've told me to keep going and not to be too disappointed that I didn't play.

"They said as long as I keep playing well then there'll be plenty more squads for me to be involved in."

With Kieron Dyer and Emile Heskey both missing through injury, Thompson had hoped to get the nod on the left hand side of midfield last night.

But Eriksson opted to use Southampton's Wayne Bridge there instead, although the experiment didn't work which leaves the door open for someone like Thompson to force his way in for the next game in four months' time.

"If you're talking about the left side, I think the manager said he's got 30 candidates so that just shows you the competition there is for places," said the Rovers star.

"But, looking at it realistically, that's still perhaps my best chance of getting in.

"You've currently got Beckham on the right so I don't think there's much doubt about that position and you've got Steven Gerrard in the centre.

"So it's either a central place or a place on the left.

"But I'll play anywhere the manager wants me to play and if it's good enough, then it's good enough and if it isn't, then so be it.

"I suppose there's always places up for grabs when you are talking about international level, though.

"If people aren't doing it then there's always someone there to take your place.

"Even the best players out there have always got someone breathing down their neck so there's always a chance.

"As far as I'm concerned, there are no negatives to be taken out of this.

"Six weeks ago I was playing in Division One so it's just a bonus for me to get this recognition and this is an opportunity for me to prove to the manager what I can do."