England Squad preview

Matt SOct 1, 2008

With the Kazakhstan and Belarus games just over a week away Fabio Capello will run his eye over the available players for the final time during this weekend’s Premiership fixtures. The Italian is due to attend the Chelsea – Aston Villa game at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon to check firsthand on the progress and fitness of key players such as Frank Lampard and Ashley and Joe Cole as well as those on the periphery of the squad, Ashley Young being the prime example.

With Stuart Pearce revealing his Under-21 squad yesterday, including the likes of Agbonlahor and Micah Richards for the tie against Wales it appears unlikely that there will be any unlikely inclusions in the full squad. Whilst Agbonlahor has played consistently well in a winning Villa side for the last month he hasn’t hit the heights of his opening weekend treble against Manchester City.

Someone who Capello will surely be keeping an eagle eye on during Sunday’s match is Ashley Young who has continued his rich vein of form from last season at home and abroad so far this term. While Theo Walcott has undoubtedly claimed the wide-right role for himself, Young’s form is without doubt a lot more impressive than that of David Bentley who has been in and out of the Spurs team so far this season, struggling to match his performances of the last two seasons.

His place in the squad, along with that of David Beckham (remember him?), are arguably the most under threat this time around with both Ashley Young and now a clearly rejuvenated Shaun Wright-Phillips pushing hard for call-ups – Young possibly even at the expense of Stewart Downing’s whose struggle for form has been highlighted by a couple of penalty misses. Young operates on the left for Villa but naming both him and Joe Cole would deny Englanda natural left-footer in that position so Capello may be wary of going down that route.

However, despite Walcott’s superb performances wearing the Three Lions last month Beckham did appear in both games as a substitute which indicates that he still very much remains part of Capello’s plans, if only as a very useful replacement.

Steven Gerrard will come back into the squad in place of Jimmy Bullard and Owen Hargreaves’ inability to get minutes for his club will surely count against him unless he can a full match under his belt at Ewood Park at the weekend as Capello no doubt remains a fan. Michael Carrick remains sidelined for a few more weeks.

In the goalkeeping department Paul Robinson’s injury should see him ruled out of both games. Wigan’s Chris Kirkland is most likely to be re-called to tussle it out for a place on the bench with Rob Green with Portsmouth’s David James grateful for a clean sheet against Spurs to arrest the increasingly alarming number of times he’s had to pick the ball out of the net recently. Joe Hart could also join up with the seniors having also already been named by Pearce for the Under-21 fixture. Scott Carson’s form has certainly picked up since last season but he will surely have to wait a bit longer for his chance to make amends for that Croatia game.

In defence Wes Brown’s position as Manchester United’s first choice right-back has been placed in real jeopardy having been dropped since his performance in the defeat at Anfield – with only a Carling Cup start and a substitute appearance in the Champions League during the week. Gary Neville will probably retain his place at the weekend for United which could leave Capello with a real headache as to whether to retain Brown as first-choice or not. Neville still seems a long-shot for a call-up after only a handful of games back after 18 months out and needs more games for his fitness as well as to prove himself. This could well be Glen Johnson’s chance to challenge for a starting place after being named in the XI against Andorra.

Matthew Upson should retain his place in the squad, as will Lescott although the latter probably only by default with Woodgate about as impressive as his club at the moment and teammate Ledley King unable to play two games in a row.

In attack, whilst Peter Crouch is out-scoring Emile Heskey it will not be enough to displace the Wigan man from the squad after his strong performances last time out. He will no doubt be joined again by Wayne Rooney who, whilst doubtful for his side’s trip to Blackburn, will be fit for International commitments. Jermain Defoe’s form will no doubt keep him in the squad – but what of Michael Owen? Goals in his last three games show that he remains individually unaffected by his club’s woes, but will it be enough for Capello to recall him? Time will tell and no doubt Capello will have someone watching keenly at Goodison this weekend.

Looking over their shoulder:

Joleon Lescott

David Bentley

David Beckham

Jermaine Jenas

Jimmy Bullard

Playing for their place:

Chris Kirkland

Scott Carson

Jonathan Woodgate

Phil Jagielka

Owen Hargreaves