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AAP - November 11, 2009, 9:04 am

Australian utility Kurt Gidley says he is desperate to break his England hoodoo in Saturday night's Four Nations rugby league final, with the NSW Origin skipper twice having been denied a tilt at the old enemy.

A knee injury in Australia's opening match of last year's World Cup campaign cost Gidley a start against England in the 52-4 flogging at Melbourne's Telstra Dome before the Newcastle No.1 was surprisingly dropped for the Four Nations clash at Wigan just over a week ago.

He is now locked in a battle with Robbie Farah and Melbourne playmaker Cooper Cronk for a berth on the Kangaroos bench for Saturday's final, and he did his chances no harm with a strong display at fullback in last Saturday's big win over France in Paris.

Gidley admitted to being deflated by his omission from the squad for the 26-16 win over England, as much for the missed opportunity to wear the green and gold as playing before the electric atmosphere at DW Stadium.

And with Elland Road set to be close to full on Saturday night, Gidley doesn't want to be missing out again.

"I was disappointed to miss that game - I still haven't got to play England," Gidley said.

"I just hope I did enough on the weekend to play this year.

"I was disappointed just to miss the opportunity to play at the ground at Wigan - it was a bit tough watching the game.

"It would be pretty disappointing if I missed out on playing at Elland Road too."

Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens will name his side on Thursday morning (Australian time), with the bench and the backrow the two areas with the biggest question marks.