Manchester United's Chris Smalling wants to play at Euro 2012 and the London Olympics

Posted Thursday, October 27, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling hopes to feature at both Euro 2012 and the London Olympic Games next year.

Smalling would see little time off during the summer if he did feature in both tournaments but pointed out that chances to play in major international competitions do not come around very often, though he admits club matters are his priority at the moment.

"I have to say that England is not my first target at the moment and neither are the Olympics," Smalling told the Manchester Evening News. "United is what I am thinking about. But towards the end of the season I will be looking towards that and hopefully I might get into the England squad. Obviously I'd love to go there [Euro 2012].

"There is also the Olympics as well. A lot of the lads who went to the [Euro] Under-21 Championships last summer will be able to play in it. Whether it is the Euros, the Olympics, or both – you would like to be involved because these opportunities do not come around too often."

For now, though, Smalling is focusing on United's defense of the Premier League title and the former Fulham player admitted his delight at his rapid ascent from non-league football to the top flight and the Champions League.

"Everybody's career is not plain sailing," he said. "I have been very much enjoying how it has gone over the last couple of years and hopefully it will stay on course. But I will be ready if there is a setback and I will work hard.

"When I was younger I stopped playing for a professional club after being at Millwall's academy. I was at school and I thought the chance in the pro game might not come again. But I was always going to give it a go and keep at it and worked hard. I never gave up and the reminder of that will always help me in the future.

"That will be the same response if I get a setback in the professional game. I learned from that. You cannot take anything for granted."