Stewart Downing has revealed his disappointment at not being selected for the World Cup squad. Downing has 23 caps and has featured sporadically under Capello, but he failed to make the 23-man squad as the Italian instead placed his faith in the likes of Shaun Wright-Phillips and Joe Cole.

Stewart Downing says he was not offered an explanation for his absence and also questioned Capello's selection policy in the wake of England's terrible performance in South Africa.

"A lot of people who had not played were in the squad as were people out of form - but others were left out," Downing said in The Sun. "It was a little strange and I was very disappointed as I thought, maybe, I had a chance to get in the 30 at least.

"He obviously has his reasons why but the disappointing thing was I didn't get told why I wasn't in the squad. That's his choice and there's no point in moaning about it now. I'm just looking forward to playing in front of the Villa fans and Aston Villa Hospitality.

There is something about Stuart Downing that reminds one of a much-touted band that never quite lives up to the hype and grabs that break-through hit.

As an old fashioned winger, a left one to boot, he seems to have all the tools necessary and yet it never quite clicks often enough to make a telling impression.

In fairness to the Villa man he did well to battle back to fitness from a serious foot injury and make an impressive 33 appearances in all competitions, despite his season not getting started until early November. Both past and present players extol the virtues of pre-season training for fitness and sharpness over the course of a long campaign and Downing was always likely to come up short in both given his late beginning.

So perhaps it is not surprising that the former Middlesbrough midfielder misses out on a flight to South Africa with Fabio Capello’s squad.

For the first time in over a decade England have options on the left-hand side, ironically in the shape of current Villa team-mate James Milner and former Middlesbrough colleague Adam Johnson. As a result, Downing joins fellow Villan Ashley Young on the outside looking in.

STEWART Downing praised Brad Friedel after the goalkeeper’s man-of-the-match performance in the Second City derby.

The evergreen American pulled off a string of fine saves to keep Blues at bay at Villa Park.

Downing said: “They were very good saves, but he’s been doing that all season. He’s been quiet for a long time in the game but when he’s called upon he’s made some good saves and that’s the sign of a good goalkeeper.

“Sometimes you need a bit of luck and for your keeper to pull one or two off and he did that for us.

“He’s almost 39 but he looks after himself.

“As long as he continues to do that then he’ll carry on playing and you can see in his performances that age doesn’t matter.”

Isaiah Osbourne has revealed how Stewart Downing played a part in his move to Middlesbrough.

The Aston Villa youngster moved to The Riverside last week on loan, and he made his debut in the weekend loss at Crystal Palace.

And Osbourne admits that Teessider Downing - who left Boro for Villa in the summer - was full of praise for his hometown club.

"I spoke to Stewart before I came to Middlesbrough," said Osbourne.

"He obviously knows Middlesbrough inside and out, and he said that it's a great group of lads to be involved with.

"For me, though, it was not just about what Stewart had to say because I knew that Middlesbrough were a good club, having watched them in the Premier League over the years. It was also the good things I heard about the manager.

Winger Stewart Downing has stepped up his rehabilitation and set his sights on a December debut for Aston Villa.

Downing has been out of action with a broken foot since May and is yet to play for Villa since joining from Middlesbrough for £12m in July.

The 24-year-old broke his foot playing for Boro against his new club but says he is on target to resume training.

He said: "I'll hopefully be back training in mid-November and then looking to play within a month."

The England winger has had a pin removed from his foot and says he now needs to build up his fitness.

"The specialist has been telling me what to do from day one. I had been doing straight line running because I couldn't do twisting and turning," he said.

Winger Stewart Downing has set his sights on finally making his Aston Villa debut before Christmas.

The 24-year-old, who joined Villa from Middlesbrough in the summer for £12m, has had a pin removed from his broken foot and is now able to run.

Downing said: "I'll hopefully be back training in mid-November and then looking to play within a month of that. Having the pin removed is a big step."

Aston Villa summer signing Stewart Downing has joined in at training.

Downing was given the all-clear on his foot injury by the specialist and is now "mixing" with the first team at Bodymoor Heath.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill told the club's website: "Stewart received very good news from the specialist the other day. He went to see him in London and he was very encouraged.

"He is now mixing in and training with the other lads. It's almost like pre-season for him because he's been out since April.

"But it is very, very encouraging. He is a great lad with a great attitude and just wants to do it.

"Hopefully we'll see the best of him before Christmas. Hopefully he has no set-backs.

"He is doing ball-work and joined in with the other lads and next week we can really push him on a bit. It's very encouraging. "

Aston Villa summer signing Stewart Downing has joined in at training.

Downing was given the all-clear on his foot injury by the specialist and is now "mixing" with the first team at Bodymoor Heath.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill told the club's website: "Stewart received very good news from the specialist the other day. He went to see him in London and he was very encouraged.

"He is now mixing in and training with the other lads. It's almost like pre-season for him because he's been out since April.

"But it is very, very encouraging. He is a great lad with a great attitude and just wants to do it.

"Hopefully we'll see the best of him before Christmas. Hopefully he has no set-backs.

"He is doing ball-work and joined in with the other lads and next week we can really push him on a bit. It's very encouraging. "

STEWART Downing has promised Villa fans they will be seeing the best of him in the coming weeks and months – after all, he has the small matter of a place in the England World Cup squad to fight for.

Downing has been sidelined for five months with an ankle injury but was still asked to join Fabio Capello’s recent get-together at the last World Cup qualifier against Belarus at Wembley.

He was one of 55 players invited, having helped England on the road to qualification for South Africa, and Downing hopes that means he has not been forgotten.

“It was nice to think Capello hadn’t forgotten about me,” he said.

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“It was nice to feel a little bit of a part of it and the manager actually came and asked me how I was doing and when I would be back.

“It gave me a real incentive to return.”

Downing has yet to play for Villa since his £12 million summer move from Middlesbrough but should be playing again before New Year.

He intends to repay the faith manager Martin O’Neill and Capello have placed in him.

“Capello has shown he appreciates us,” he said. “He invited us all into the changing room after the England game and spoke to us all.

“He has said before that if you play well he will pick you and if I come back and play well for Villa then who knows?

“There will still be 20 or 30 games to go before the finals and plenty of time to make an impression.”

Downing has had a World Cup jinx in the past. His only other injury came before the finals in 2006.

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