Back in February WCC suggested a team of fringe players that could come into the reckoning if they hit form and/or their key rivals experienced injury. Of the XI selected, Steven Warnock and Ryan Shawcross made the squad for the Egypt friendly but neither saw any action. The other nine haven’t made much headway. Therefore, it’s time for another go at locating some dark horses who could squeeze into the squad this summer.
I’ve opted for Steve Harper as goalkeeper. He’s presently helping to keep Newcastle at the top of England’s second-tier league, The Championship. Phil Neville has been out of the England reckoning for some time, but he’s been on good form for Everton and Fabio Capello isn’t spoilt for choice at right-back. Neville’s Everton team-mate Phil Jagielka was just breaking into the England squad when he experienced injury. He’s back now and has just enough time to push for a return this summer. Tottenham’s Michael Dawson has been on good form this season for a high-performing side. He’s uncapped but has played in two ‘B’ internationals. Nicky Shorey takes the left-back slot and may not be that far from the squad following Ashley Cole’s injury and Wayne Bridge’s withdrawal. Shorey was overlooked when he was at Villa, but is now playing regularly for Fulham.
In the likely absence of Owen Hargreaves, Bolton’s Fabrice Muamba may be the closest Capello has to a tough-tackling defensive midfielder. Keiran Richardson lines up with him in central midfield. Richardson used to play on the left-flank but is currently being used through the middle at Sunderland. It’s a while since he won a cap, but he’s been on reasonable form. Matthew Etherington is situated at left-midfield: his four goals and eight assists have contributed to Stoke’s sound showing in the Premier League this season.
On the other flank is Adam Johnson who is the key wildcard for this summer. He has broken straight into the first team since arriving at Man City in January. World Cup 2010 may come too soon for him, but he is an exciting prospect. Although he is left-footed he has been used on the right-flank recently. If Aaron Lennon fails to return to fitness, and Johnson himself keeps Shaun Wright-Phillips out of the Man City first XI, then he has an outside chance of making it into the extended squad in May. However, with Steven Gerrard tending to play an inside-left role for England, Capello may fear congestion if this is replicated by a left-footer cutting inside from the right. If Johnson is to be considered purely a left-sided player, then he will be in competition with his former Middlesbrough club-mate, and fellow leftie, Stewart Downing. And Capello may prefer the more established talents of the latter.
In attack, Fulham’s Bobby Zamora is the target man and he’s paired with David Nugent who is now playing for Burnley. Nugent has scored a goal for England (he finished off a goal-bound Jermain Defoe effort against Andorra back in 2007). He subsequently had a tough time at Portsmouth under Harry Redknapp, but has now established that he has the talent for top flight football. He can play up front or wide midfield.
Apparently Mikel Arteta is soon to be eligible to play for England under resindency rules. He would be a shoo in for the world cup squad if he wanted to play for England, which he doesn’t.
Is a Carlton Palmer comeback out of the question?
I agree on Adam Johnson, he has shown great ability, I don’t think he would look out of his depth in the England squad at all. May have been mentioned in the previous article but Rodwell at Everton can’t be too far away from breaking into the squad, he looks very comfortable in the premiership.