As he gears up for what would be "the biggest match of my life" - if chosen for the crunch Euro 2008 qualifier with Russia in Moscow - the Aston Villa captain recalls a time when he was left off the international scene by former coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Barry was part of the Euro 2000 squad under Kevin Keegan, as a 19-year-old defender, and has been revitalised since Martin O'Neill gave him a central midfield role at Villa last season.

He impressed as a second-half substitute against Germany in the August friendly international and grabbed his chance in the Euro 2008 qualifiers with Israel and Russia at Wembley, in place of the injured Frank Lampard.

The former Brighton trainee is in strong contention to keep his place, initially against Estonia on Saturday but more crucially for the return meeting with the Russians in Moscow four days later.

Barry said: "It can be frustrating when you are not selected - so making three or four squads in a row is in itself a big change for me.

"There were times when I thought I was not going to get back in again. Three or four years have ticked by; you have not made a squad - and you start fearing the worst.

"Under Sven, I basically gave up hope. People have got their own ideas - and when your name is not mentioned for so long, you do give up hope.

"But I always felt I was playing well enough, that time was still on my side - and I kept just got my head down at Villa and kept going.

"I felt that if and when a new manager came in my chance would come again - and it eventually did.

"Now it is nice to be talked about in a positive light, and I want to get myself around as many England squads as I can and help this team qualify for Euro 2008.

Barry is keen neither he nor England get ahead of themselves, with Estonia to beat first before their Russian assignment.

"All the focus is on Estonia and getting three points," he said.

"But if I do play against Russia, it will be the biggest game of my career - given what will be at stake.

"The last two England games have probably been the biggest of my career. It was nice to be part of them and I am full of confidence now for what is ahead."

Whether Barry is in the starting line-up, alongside Steven Gerrard, will depend whether coach Steve McClaren instantly brings back fit-again Lampard.

Barry said: "There is competition everywhere, and it is nice to put my name among the great players being talked about to start for their country.

"The sort of players you mention is why you have to wait for so long to have a chance to play for your country.

"It would be great to start - and it was nice to put in two good performances and be talked about for the way I played. It is nice to be in the hunt for a place in the starting line-up."