SAINTS goalkeeper Joe Lumley declared "I want to play for England" as he refuses to settle for making his Premier League debut at 29 years old.

The former Reading and QPR shot-stopper made his first league appearance for Saints since joining as a free agent last summer in the 1-1 draw at Brighton.

Lumley's previous five appearances for the club had all come in cup competitions, including 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup at Cardiff earlier this campaign.

He travelled for every league match between September and the end of November without being named in a single squad after Aaron Ramsdale's signing.

And although Lumley joined Saints and reunited with goalkeeper coach Dean Thornton as a backup, he insists he trains relentlessly to reach the top.

"I want to play for England, I want to play at the best level there is and I'll keep training hard to do that for the rest of my career," he told the Daily Echo.

"It's amazing (to make his Premier League debut). We'd like to have won the game but I am so grateful to the staff, players and gaffer for giving me the opportunity.

Russell Martin congratulates Joe Lumley after his league debutRussell Martin congratulates Joe Lumley after his league debut (Image: Matt Watson / Southampton FC)

"I am grateful for my family and all my support system to keep me going. I have finally made my Premier League debut and hopefully, there is more to come.

"It's been tough not playing but it's been part of the role. I'm ready to play. I'll always train as if I'm playing and I'm always ready.

"I've had the opportunity this time to play and hopefully I'll play more - but whoever plays, we support each other and get on with it."

Harlow-born Lumley progressed through the QPR academy as a youngster and has made over 200 appearances in the EFL for his previous clubs. 

Lumley was told he would be making his top-flight debut on Wednesday, over 48 hours before the clash at Amex Stadium, with Alex McCarthy, 34, injured.

McCarthy was named in Martin's squad despite being unfit to play after taking pain-killing injections for a knee concern before and during the Liverpool match.

"He's had some trouble with his knee," explained Lumley. "I knew that I had a chance to play and as I said, I was always ready for that chance. 

"Then I found out a couple of days ago that I was in and it has been amazing to play in the Premier League, the best league in the world.

"Obviously, we want to win the game, we strive to win every single game - but points in this league are massive and the boys dug in deep to secure the point.

"In terms of the point, yes, it's massive. It's a point on the board. You want three points every game but points are points. One point is better than none."

Saints could have been bringing back more than just the one point had Cameron Archer's second-half goal not been controversially disallowed.

Martin's side fell on the wrong side of another VAR intervention when offside Adam Armstrong was adjudged to have impacted the Brighton goalkeeper.

Seagulls and Netherlands shot-stopper Bart Verbruggen himself admitted he did not know why the goal was disallowed and admitted his side were lucky. 

"In the changing room, we were talking about it and it could have gone either way but it is what it is. We can't do anything now," said Lumley.

"We'd love it to go our way and hopefully, it sort of swings and roundabouts. Hopefully, we get some decisions to go our way throughout the season.

"It's a bit of a tough one because I am in the goalie's union but as I said, with decisions you hope that you get some go your way but you get on with it."

Lumley could keep his place for Wednesday's visit of in-form Chelsea, who are threatening a title chase despite Liverpool currently running away at the top.

Enzo Maresca's Blues comfortably swept aside Aston Villa 3-0 on Sunday and have only been beaten by Man City and Liverpool this campaign.

Saints, meanwhile, are likely to be without six regular starters and up to 13 senior players in total through injury, suspensions and ineligibility.

Lumley said: "We have to move on. We have players suspended but we've got a massive squad where players can step in and perform so it's not a worry.

"We don't want players missing out but we've got some great players to step in and put in a shift Every game is tough. No game is easy in this league. 

"I think every team would say that. You've got to take every game as it comes and now our focus is on Chelsea midweek and preparing to beat them."