Hyderabad : Undeterred by his exclusion from India's one-day squad for the tour of South Africa, middle order batsman VVS Laxman says the omission and remarks over his fitness has strengthened his resolve to find a place in the World Cup team.

The Hyderabadi player, who turned 33 three days ago, said he still had enough opportunities to prove himself and gain a place in the Indian team for the quadrennial event to be staged in the Caribbean in March-April.

"I will work hard and try to get into the team for the next tour and hopefully to the World Cup squad," said Laxman, who has never played in the game's flagship event.

He expressed hope that he would have enough opportunity to prove his worth in the Caribbean Test series which could have a positive impact for the 2007 World Cup.

Laxman sees a lot of opportunity coming his way in the days to come. "I'm presently concentrating on the game and will play my way into the squad. I am focussed on my game." The right-handed batsman was ignored for the ODI team for the five-match series in South Africa starting later this month despite the injury to Yuvraj Singh and the expansion of the squad to 16 members.

Dilip Vengsarkar, former India captain and the new chairman of national selectors, had said while announcing the squad that Laxman was neither fully fit nor had the necessary fitness to play one-day cricket.