The Tottenham defender's chances of being part of Fabio Capello's plans in South Africa looked over when he was not included in the final 23-man squad.

He was on the verge of booking a summer holiday but Ferdinand's knee injury opened the door for Dawson to cap an outstanding season at White Hart Lane, where he was voted player of the year.

Now the groin injury to Ledley King means he is competing with Matthew Upson and James Carragher to be part of the side to face Algeria in Cape Town on Friday.

Dawson, 26, said: "I'm loving every minute of it. It's great to be out here.

"Obviously it's devastating for Rio unfortunately getting injured for me to get in the way I did. I would have loved to have been in the squad and for Rio not to miss out.

"It was a quick turnaround from the Friday afternoon when I got the call from Michelle Farrer (director of Club England team operations) to say Rio had gone down injured and she asked if I was away.

"Then the news came through that Rio was going to be out for a few weeks and within a few hours I was on the plane thinking a lot about what was ahead.

"In the morning I had been on the phone to the travel agent, trying to get somewhere booked.

"Luckily for me I didn't get anything booked. If they'd called me a few hours later I might have done.

"Like I said, It's devastating for Rio for him to miss out on a World Cup as England captain, but I'm here and I've got to do the best I can to try to help the team if I can get in the team."

Dawson had been scheduled to celebrate his wedding anniversary two days later but said: "My wife was over the moon. Of course she was over the moon. It's a chance to go to the World Cup.

"Obviously the circumstances could have been better but she was chuffed for bits because it's every footballer's dream to go to a World Cup."

Dawson is refusing to make any predictions about whether he will start against Algeria.

He said: "You're asking the wrong man there. There's only the manager who can answer that. We just have to wait and see, take each day as it comes, be ready.

"I'm dreaming of my first full cap. There's no hiding that.

"I've said that for a long time, since before I got in the squad, but we'll just wait and see.

"We've got Jamie Carragher, Matthew Upson. We'll just have to see what the manager does."

Dawson was speaking as he got the chance for the first time to meet 12-year-old Aubrey, whom he sponsors as part of the SOS children's village in Rustenburg.

It comprises 10 family houses which take in 100 children and has an administration and service area, a village director's house and a house for SOS aunties who support the SOS mothers and take care of the children when the mothers are on leave.

A community-based child care and support programme for children and families affected by HIV/AIDS has also been set up.

Through this programme, the families receive material and medical support, education and counselling and are also supported to become materially and financially self-sufficient.

Dawson explained: "I hadn't met him. I'd seen a picture. Now finally to meet him is a great experience for me. He's a great little lad and he looks like he's a talented footballer as well.

"He was wearing a Rooney shirt. I was hoping he was going to have a Dawson shirt but you just can't sway some people, can you! It's great to meet him.

"It's certainly opened everyone's minds. Tottenham, through the players' fines, have sponsored a house, The FA as well, and each individual player at Tottenham has sponsored one child, so it's fantastic.

"Fortunately for me today I've been out and experienced it and finally met Aubrey. The memories will stay with me."