"Playing in the Champions League can only improve my England chances. If you are proving yourself in the Champions League and playing well, it is going to be at the back of the England manager's mind to pick you," said Pennant.
"The more I can play in big games like these, the better it is going to be for me.
"The only thing left for me is to play for my country. If that could happen, it would be a great turnaround for me and my career.
"It is an incentive to know the England manager is watching you but my manager puts me under pressure every time I go out to play well and that makes me determined to do my best for the team.
"The team comes before anything but if you can continue to play well for the team then sooner or later hopefully the England coach will take notice.
"With Becks out of the team, it is there for the taking. England have already got two players in Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aaron Lennon, while Steven Gerrard showed he could play there too.
"So it is going to be difficult but I can offer something different and if the manager gives me the chance I know I can take it."