Exclusive – Mackay: Caulker can make England’s World Cup squad

Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay has told talkSPORT that Steven Caulker could find himself in England’s squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil - if they qualify.

The newly-promoted Welsh side made a £9million swoop for the defender this summer, who had found his playing time limited with Tottenham.

And now, after seeing the 21-year-old up close, the Scottish manager believes that with first-team action this season he can become regular part of the Three Lions’ defence for the foreseeable future.

“He’s got a huge future ahead of him,” Mackay told Drive Time. “At the moment there is a huge abundance of centre-backs at Tottenham and he is a young one who is English, a real prospect, has played over 50 games in the Premier League and is a current England international.

“For us to get him at that price [£9million] is a snip and even more so now that I’ve seen him here for two or three weeks and I’m actually looking at him on the grass every day.

“Can he make England’s World Cup squad? Very much so.

“I think it was a brave decision [by him] because he could have been one of a number of centre-backs that stayed at Spurs, who are obviously a big club.

“It was a brave call to back his own career. I’m glad he’s out [and with Cardiff City] because I think he can kick on and become a future England international centre-back.”