Bobby Zamora admitted that he had been "depressed" about the Achilles injury that has ruled him out of contention for England's World Cup squad and severely hampered the last five weeks of his season with Fulham.

Here's what you could have won: Bobby Zamora walks past the Europa League trophy

The 29-year-old striker lasted less than an hour of Wednesday's Europa League final, which Fulham lost 2-1 to Atletico Madrid after extra time, and admitted that it was all but inevitable that he would have to undergo surgery now or miss the start of the season.

He had forced his way into Capello's provisional squad, after a series of impressive performances, but had to withdraw because of the injury. "I told Fabio that I was struggling and I knew that had I have gone I wouldn't have done myself or England justice," said Zamora. "The World Cup is a massive tournament. It's not about myself, it's about England. He wished me all the best and hoped that I get fit and would be there next season."

Asked what it must feel like to be so close to an improbable international call-up, Zamora, who had not previously been selected by Capello, said: "That's football, it's a cruel game. And we've seen how cruel it can be again here with losing this final in the last couple of minutes."

Of being injured, he added: "It's been a bit depressing – not being able to train and just struggling. The injury could not have come at a worse time. It's been an extremely disappointing season in that respect. But it also been so pleasing with the way it has gone. It has been amazing. It's been a success, I suppose.

"I was out there [in the final] to prove a lot of people wrong, the media included. But I just wanted to work hard and do well for the club. Last year, because I only scored a few goals, everyone just looked at the goals and didn't look at the bigger picture. But I knew the goals would come, it was just a matter of time."

Zamora struck 19 times this season but, under manager Roy Hodgson, has also developed as a player after being up for sale last summer. Having signed from West Ham United two seasons ago, Zamora is a committed Hodgson fan, hoping the 62 year-old will remain at Craven Cottage. "He is a major part of why we are where we are," the striker said. "He's been tremendous. We're a hard team to beat and that's down to Roy's organisation."