The Carragher family were due to be flying off for their annual post-season holiday on Monday.

That was until the long-serving Liverpool defender answered the call that could turn him into a World Cup star.

Fabio Capello's trusted right-hand man Franco Baldini was the man who made contact, although even young James was happy about that.

"I only told Steven (Gerrard) and my wife, because we were supposed to be going to Disneyland on Monday, which is now off.

"A few days later I mentioned it to my dad and my son. Everyone was very pleased and desperate for me to go."

That Carragher did not immediately say yes owed more to his desire to satisfy himself no-one who had "been to Kazakhstan or the Ukraine" in a qualifying campaign that registered nine wins from 10 games, was losing out due to his inclusion.

As it turned out, injuries to Joleon Lescott and Wes Brown did not improve, allowing Carragher to join up with a clear conscience.

"I have been playing football since I was five," he said.

"In another five years I probably won't kick a ball again for the rest of my life. So the chance to play at the highest level again was obvious.

"But the chance to work with this manager was equally important.

"I am a big follower of football. Over the last 10 or 15 years Fabio Capello has probably been the stand-out manager in world football."

Yet it seems the 32-year-old's comeback will not be a long-lasting affair.

Although Carragher understands there are no guarantees, it would seem slightly strange if Capello were to take such trouble to abandon retirement, then ditch him when the final squad is submitted to FIFA on June 1.

Maintaining his presence for the Euro 2012 qualifiers would force him to miss his own testimonial for a start, given the specially-arranged Merseyside derby on September 3 is scheduled for exactly the same day as England open their campaign against Switzerland at Wembley.

"I think going to South Africa is a one-off thing," he said.

"There was a little injury situation. I am sure that will be cleared up by the start of next season and I have got my testimonial for Liverpool on September 3."