Owen Hargreaves has vowed to play 40 matches this season and force his way into the England squad for next summer's European Championships.

The 30-year-old was released by Manchester United at the end of last season having made just 27 appearances in four campaigns at the club.

West Bromwich Albion are reportedly keen on taking Hargreaves to the Hawthorns and the midfielder has revealed that he is ready to return to action.

"I'm going to blow people away. I'm coming back believing I can return to the level I was at before. My body feels great and my knees are perfect. I've just got this huge chip on my shoulder because I've been out for three years and people think I'm dead and buried," he told the Daily Mail.

"I can understand why. I can see why people would be sceptical. When I walked off the pitch after five minutes in that game against Wolves last season, people must have thought, 'What is it with this guy? Is he made of f*****g glass? Is he kidding?' It was my first game in two years.

"But, right now, I'd like to think I can play 40 games this season and with the right care I believe I can train every day. I hope to be back in the England side for the European Championship next summer. You have to have ambition."

Hargreaves joined United in 2007 from Bayern Munich for £17m.