WAYNE BRIDGE may have impressively filled England's problem position of left-back in the last three internationals but the Saints defender is under no illusion about his status as he heads for the World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea.

Injury to Ashley Cole gave him his opportunity and he fully expects the young Arsenal player to be ahead of him when Sven-Goran Eriksson names his side for the opening group match against Sweden.

"Ashley is the regular so I think he is going to start. I will just get my head down, work hard in training and keep playing if I get the opportunity," said Bridge, speaking from Dubai.

Not so long ago Bridge, possibly the least high-profile of England's World Cup squad, could walk through the centre of Southampton hardly recognised.

His international recognition has plucked him from the relative obscurity of a mid-table Premiership campaign in Gordon Strachan's side and he now modestly acknowledges that he has become a more recognisable face, at least in his home city.

"I do get noticed a bit more now and everyone seems so happy for me. On Saturday the fans were even singing my name," said Southampton-born Bridge, with the innocence of someone who can hardly believe he is part of the fairytale which has enveloped him.

While many of his teammates have been involved in the Champions' League, the battle for the Premiership title or high-profile cup runs, he forced his way into the World Cup reckoning with performances reflected in the way he conducts himself off the pitch.

And he does not believe he has been handicapped by playing for a club which, without being unkind, can be rated unfashionable.

"I don't feel I have missed out," he insisted.

Lacking the flamboyance of some of their fellow prospects, but equally effective, Bridge and Cole have finally emerged as the players who could contest the problem left-back position for the next decade.

Eriksson's predecessors often seemed happier to play someone out of position than try and discover and nurture natural left-back talent.

But, more in the mould of 1966 World Cup winner Ray Wilson than the aggressive, first out of the trenches Stuart Pearce, Bridge and Cole, both still only 21, have rewarded Eriksson's willingness to turn to youth to solve his problems.

Bridge caught the eye of the Swede - and right-hand man Tord Grip - as they travelled thousands of miles, scouring the country, in their hands-on search for pedigree players.

When Cole was injured, Bridge's call-up came as something of a surprise, not least to him, but he fitted seamlessly into the England set-up and admits that he soon felt at home.

"It's mainly because of the other players. They are so supportive of each other and make you feel very relaxed. Actually, it's been very enjoyable," he said.

And, whether or not he gets the call to Sven's starting line-up, that is how Bridge intends to approach the World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea.

"It's the chance of a lifetime and I'm just going to make sure I go out and enjoy it," he added.

Claus Lundekvam and Jo Tessem came on as second-half substitutes for Norway on Tuesday night as they beat World Cup hosts Japan 3-0.

Agustin Delgado played the full 90 minutes and Kleber Chala 65 minutes as Ecuador lost 2-1 to Spanish side Atletico Madrid.