England captain John Terry has urged Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher to step out of international retirement and join him in Fabio Capello’s plans for the World Cup 2010.

Carragher sensationally quit international football two years ago when he wasn’t given many first team chances by the then manager Steve McLaren.

But Terry, worried that his first choice central defensive partner Rio Ferdinand may struggle with fitness in coming months, says there would be a real fight for a starting place in Carragher rejoined the England set-up.

He said, “Going into the World Cup it would be great if he did come back and then it would make competition even more difficult for all of us.

“We all understood his frustration but we’d all like him to come out of retirement. It’s down to him to make that decision, only he can do that.

“We’ve still got Matt Upson, who everyone’s speaking highly of and he’s had a very good year. Joleon Lescott’s done very well again and Gary Cahill has come into the squad. It’s down to Carra to come out and make a statement, really.”

Carragher has 34 caps for his country.