DANNY MURPHY should not rule out forcing his way back into the England squad, according to his manager Alan Curbishley.

Murphy said last week he had given up hope of being in Sven Goran Eriksson’s plans and he no longer even thought about playing for the national side.

But Curbishley said: “I don’t know if I agree with Danny that he may be out of the picture. Every game at The Valley has got either Eriksson, Tord Grip or someone of that ilk watching. As Chris Powell showed, if the players perform they will be in.

“Since we signed Danny, his fitness levels have increased dramatically and he’s looked a lot sharper. He took a bit of criticism to start with because we bought him for big money and things weren’t going so well, but he’s worked ever so hard over the past two or three weeks to get himself back on track.”

Meanwhile, former England defender Powell will be expected to return to Charlton at the end of his two-month loan spell with West Ham.

Having signed a new deal with the Addicks in the summer, Powell went out on loan to the Hammers after being unable to command a first team place and says he is happy to stay at Upton Park.

Curbishley recognises the full-back endured a frustrating period at Charlton, but reiterated he is still their player.

He said: “We had two or three months in the summer when Chris was free to leave because he was out of contract. I allowed him to go to West Ham and get some football because during the past 15 or 16 months he hasn’t played much and it is better for us if he comes back sharp and fit.”

Curbishley said both clubs were happy with the arrangement and he would assess Charlton’s injury situation before further considering the matter.

But he added: “Chris had that opportunity to leave us and if he thinks that way perhaps he shouldn’t have signed for us.”