Aston Villa winger Ashley Young has not given up on being part of England's World Cup finals squad.

Young was left out of Fabio Capello's latest England squad to face Ukraine and Belarus, casting doubts over his chances of making it to South Africa.

"I know there's a World Cup at the end of the season," Young told the Birmingham Mail.

"But that's then and it's about now and concentrating on the games that I play for Villa and doing well for the club.

"Hopefully, fingers crossed, when it comes to the time of the World Cup squad being announced then I'll be in it.

"As a youngster you always want to play in the big competitions, the UEFA Cups, the Champions Leagues, cup finals and of course the World Cup.

"As a boy you dream about going to the World Cup and hopefully it will be a bit more than a dream."

Young has admitted he would like to have been more of a threat to opposition defences this term, but will not allow the presence of Capello at future matches to impact on his performances.

"I think I'm getting there," he added. "I've been happy with the way I've started.

"Obviously I'd like a few more goals and assists to myself, but I'm just looking forward to the rest of the season.

"To be honest I don't know when Fabio Capello's going to come and watch or not.

"I don't know beforehand and I only find out at the end if someone says he's been to the game. All last season I never knew he was at any of the games until after the end."