May 29, 2002

HIGASHIURA, Japan, May 29 (Reuters) - England defender Sol Campbell wants to settle a score with Argentina next week after bowing out of the last World Cup to the South Americans.

The 27-year-old has neither forgotten his disallowed strike against the Argentines at France '98, nor the penalty shoot-out that sent England home.

But with a group F clash against Argentina looming on June 7, Campbell this time knows the true meaning of being at the finals, and is keen to make the most of it.

"It's a big World Cup for a lot of players in the team, and me especially. Four years on now, I've got more experience and I want to do something out there," he told reporters on Wednesday.

"Experience does count in these situations and it would be nice to really do something in this World Cup.

"It wasn't until after we came back from the last World Cup that we realised that it means a lot to a lot of people back home. This time round, I really know what it means."

Down to 10 men and drawing 2-2 in St-Etienne, after David Beckham had been sent off for retaliation against Diego Simeone, Campbell headed the ball home late in the second round game but it was disallowed after a foul by Alan Shearer on the goalkeeper.

"Of course, I thought I'd scored," Campbell recalled near England's Awaji Island training base.

SECOND CHANCE

"It wasn't meant to be -- but football has a nice way of repeating itself and it's come round again.

"I want to do my best. It's good that we've got experience throughout the team and it's good for the future that some of the players have played in a few competitions and are still young."

The current optimism in the England camp has been helped by the return to full training of captain Beckham, for whom next week's clash will also be special.

"Becks coming back has been a massive boost," said Campbell. "The lads are looking sharp in training. And so am I. I'm feeling good."

However, before getting to grips with Argentina and then Nigeria, Campbell and his team mates must first grapple on Sunday with Sweden -- who England have not beaten since 1968.

"The Swedes have done pretty well against England sides over the years. They are a strong outfit and we're not going to take them too lightly," Campbell said.

"But football moves on. You've got to break the cycle sooner or later and hopefully it'll happen this weekend."

There is one cycle, though, which last season's English premier league and FA Cup double winner with Arsenal would like to keep turning at the 2002 finals.

"Last time Arsenal did the double, the French lads came back with the World Cup," Campbell recalled.

"Hopefully it can work for us. It would be a dream come true."