HIS retirement provoked a furore. His return prompted a frenzy. Now Jamie Carragher is intent on sending England’s followers frantic for all the right reasons this summer.

Of all the players charged with ending 44 years of England hurt, the Liverpool centre-back is the one that has caused the greatest surprise.

Small wonder. Carragher had been retired from international football for almost three years when, with England’s defensive resources stretched by injury, the call came from Fabio Capello that his services would be required for the forthcoming World Cup.

It was a controversial move, with Carragher having caused a right old rumpus when, after the frustration of being continually overlooked led to his international retirement in 2007, he admitted playing for Liverpool was more important than appearing for his country.

After some deliberation, the Bootle-born defender accepted the challenge. Fears Carragher would be jeered on his return in the friendly against Mexico at Wembley last month thankfully proved unfounded.

Now, from being an outcast, 32-year-old Carragher finds himself employed in the role as elder statesman, the oldest outfield player in Capello’s squad for South Africa. But, as he admits, it’s an opportunity he hadn’t even considered until recently and is proud to be representing the nation once more.

“It’s not something I have thought about over the last two or three years,” says Carragher. “I know I have been criticised in the past for saying that Liverpool was the most important thing to me but that’s just the way it is.

“But the World Cup and the Champions League are the two biggest tournaments you can play in during your career. Also, coming to the end of my career, I am proud of the fact that I have been selected to go at the age of 32.

“There are not too many players of my age going. When I was last in the squad, you had people like Michael Owen, Gary Neville, David Beckham, Sol Campbell – all vastly experienced.

“So that was the strangest thing this time, finding that I was the oldest outfield player. Do I feel I have extra responsibility? Not really. But if my experience can help, that will be fantastic.

“The starting line-up hasn’t actually changed too much from 2006. Maybe someone made the mistake of calling us the Golden Generation and building us up.

“But all these players now have four years more experience, are four years more wise and hopefully that will keep us in good stead. I think we have been bitten that many times, people don’t want to fall into the same trap again.”

Carragher, along with Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, missed in the penalty shoot-out against Portugal in the quarter-final four years ago having been introduced from the bench by then England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson specifically to take a spot kick.

The Liverpool man had previously been absent from the 2002 World Cup through injury and failed to see any action in Euro 2004 despite being included in the squad.

But has life with England changed much in his three years away? “It does feel a little bit different,” says Carragher. “Most of the players are the same, all the backroom staff, the secretaries at the FA. It’s been fine. The only difference was the change of manager.”

That change of manager, with Capello having replaced Steve McLaren, was a significant reason behind Carragher’s U-turn.

The defender has made no secret of his desire to remain in the game after his playing days and is eager to learn from the Italian.

“It is an experience working with Capello,” says Carragher. “I regard the two best defenders of all time as Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini. That will be a great education for me over the next weeks. One of the main reasons for coming back was to work with him.

“You pick up things from everyone. If you go into management, you do what you think is right.”

The likelihood is Carragher’s international comeback will be brief, with players returning to fitness after the tournament.

But it is one he is determined to enjoy. “Having finished with England three years ago, I never thought I would be in this position,” says the Liverpool man. “I am glad I am here now, though.”