John Barnes won 79 caps for his country, scoring 12 goals

Barnes, who rapped on New Order's World in Motion for the 1990 tournament, is lined up to perform on a rival to the Football Association's official anthem.

Virgin Radio is running a competition for fans to write the song, with proceeds going to a cancer charity.

Barnes, 42, said he would "gladly" perform if the song included a rap "like Kanye West or Busta Rhymes".

Now a TV presenter, Barnes also sang on the Liverpool 1988 FA Cup anthem Anfield Rap.

He said: "If you write a rap like Kanye West or Busta Rhymes, something which gives me a bit more street cred, a bit of a gangsta rap, then I will gladly do it.

Cup experience

"As long as it has a bit of soul and rhythm to it then I'll do it."

Barnes was a member of the 1990 squad which made it to the World Cup semi-finals.

Proceeds from sales of the single, due to be called The People's Anthem, will go to the Teenage Cancer Trust.

DJ Christian O'Connell, who is organising the effort, said: "Now that we have Barnesy on board, whatever tune the FA comes up with has no chance."

Barnes won League, FA Cup and League Cup honours with Liverpool.