Izzet - hoping to play some part on Saturday (Allsport)

By Ian Parkes, PA Sport, Osaka

Muzzy Izzet was again forced to watch from the Turkish bench at Miyagi Stadium yesterday as coach Senol Gunes' side silenced a partisan 45,000 crowd to reach the last eight with a 1-0 victory over co-host Japan.

AC Milan midfielder Umit Davala's 12th minute header was enough to send the Turks on to a showdown with Senegal, with the winner due to meet either England or Brazil in the last four next Wednesday.

Izzet's role, though, has been restricted to nothing more than an onlooker as injury has led to him playing no part in Turkey's remarkable progress to the quarter-finals for the first time in the country's history.

But the Leicester midfielder is confident he will be ready to face Senegal in Osaka on Saturday, by which time they will know their last-four opponents as Sven-Goran Eriksson's side meet the Brazilians in Shizuoka on Friday.

"I hope to be fit for the quarter-final, and also I hope to be involved," said a confident Izzet.

"But we're a squad and we just want to see each other do well. As long as the team keep winning, that's the most important thing.

"Even though I was injured and didn't play, yesterday was still a fantastic day for Turkish football, and one worth celebrating.

"For me, it's simple: I want the team to win because we're all in this together. We are in the quarter-finals now and anything can happen.

"Who knows? We might yet face England in the semi-final. That would be interesting to say the least. I reckon it would be a good game."

Although England's record against Brazil is a terrible one, including the fact they have not beaten the four-times world champions in three previous World Cup meetings, in a Far East tournament full of surprises then another could be on the cards.

"The favourites have gone out in France and Argentina, leaving Brazil, Germany and England still in there, and in a one-off game they can be beaten," added Izzet.

"England have done well so far, but then so have we. Now we are just trying to get as far as we can, and I think we have a good chance of progressing.

"We've a lot of our players now who play across Europe - England, Spain and Italy - so we are moving on as a team given that we play our football in many different countries."

Senegal are likely to start favourites against Turkey, with history in the making as they bid to become the first African team to reach the semi-finals.

"They (Senegal) have looked strong in this tournament, but if they have an off day and we play really well...no one is unbeatable from now," he said.

The 27-year-old, meanwhile, is refusing to discuss his future while Turkey remain in the competition, despite the link with Celtic and former boss Martin O'Neill again resurfacing.

Izzet has already stated his intention to leave the Foxes this summer, but for now he is concentrating on helping Turkey.

"Now is not the right time to talk about that (the future)," he said.