"As a boy I dreamed of playing in a World Cup. I know it's a cliche but it's true," he said.
"Having played in an FA Cup Final, to start for England would fulfil all my boyhood dreams in one season.
"I've got a lot to thank Harry [Redknapp] for. I was going nowhere really.
"James Beattie was first choice and I was stuck in the reserves. Harry came in and immediately put me in the first team, and in the last 12 months everything has turned full circle for me.
"I've moved to Liverpool, played in the Champions League and an FA Cup final and now I'm going to the World Cup with England. Sometimes it's hard to take in what has happened."