WORLD CUP 2010 QUALIFYING GROUP SIX: England v Andorra:FABIO CAPELLO is considering recalling the old guard of David Beckham and Gary Neville for this evening's World Cup qualifier against Andorra as England seek to extend their perfect record in qualification with a seventh successive victory.
The Italian coach has lost the suspended Gareth Barry in midfield and appears likely to ask Beckham to earn his 112th cap in the deeper-lying central role he has been playing while on loan at Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy.
The 34-year-old former captain started the friendly against the Czech Republic at Wembley in August but has not begun a competitive game for his country since the European Championship qualifying tie in Estonia a little over two years ago.
Neville, surprisingly recalled to the squad for the qualifier in Kazakhstan on Saturday but prevented from featuring in that win after suffering a toe injury, has not played for England since earning his 85th cap in the friendly defeat to Spain at Old Trafford in February 2007, but he may get the nod at right-back with Glen Johnson one booking away from a one-match suspension. The Portsmouth defender would miss the autumn qualifier against Croatia, second to England in Group Six, should he be cautioned this evening and so is unlikely to be risked.
“Gary is fit enough to play and has been training like the other players,” Capello said. “Beckham is one of the options I have in midfield. I’ve seen him play games for Milan in that position, with three midfielders in the centre. I like it . . . but we also have (Shaun) Wright-Phillips. I could also put Steven Gerrard there, but I’d prefer him nearer the box because he can shoot from long distance.”
Beckham’s ability from set-pieces may also prove critical given Andorra’s stated intention to stifle and sit deep in defence.
Theo Walcott, due to link up with the England under-21s squad ahead of the European Championship which begin next week, will start on the right. “Theo will be very important because we have to attack, and wide areas are very important,” Capello said. “He needs to play. At the moment, all that matters is we win this game.”
Captain John Terry is adamant the side have learnt the patience required to ensure they will prevail comfortably. Andorra frustrated England for 49 minutes in Barcelona last September before Joe Cole pierced their defence en route to a 2-0 win.
“We’ve come on leaps and bounds since we played them over there,” said Terry. “Football at this level really is getting more and more difficult, year after year. Players and teams sit back and, I promise you, that makes it difficult.
“They get men behind the ball and play a physical game, making it hard. There are only so many crosses and through-balls you can play. But we did well in Kazakhstan by not panicking when things weren’t going for us early on. We stayed patient and that’s where we got our joy. Maybe a year ago we’d have tried to force it but we have that inner confidence now that, sooner or later, we’ll get a goal.”
Key to securing the team’s success will be Wayne Rooney’s continued excellence. Back in September the Manchester United striker was blunt against Andorra to leave him with five goals in 29 appearances – and none in five matches – for his country. He has since plundered eight in his last six games at this level.
“He’s matured so much as a player and is so clever, footballing-wise,” said Terry. “There’s no one more natural in his play than him in the world at the moment. He causes so many problems for defenders.
“You see him maturing on and off the pitch and I love that hunger he’s got about him.”
“He needed the confidence to score goals,” said Capello. “This year he has got himself into more scoring positions both with England and with United. In the past he would stay too far away from goal but, if you want him to score regularly, you need him in the box.”
The striker will fancy his chances of adding to his tally of 22 international goals tonight.
“The boss wants people busting their guts to get into the box to get on the end of things, then turning round and running 50 yards to regain our shape,” added Terry. “It’s a lot of work but we enjoy doing that.
“To finish with seven wins from seven would be fantastic but we’ve got improvements to be made in the team – individually and collectively – and in the next year we will see those improvements. It’s been a long, tough season but this is an opportunity to go out on a high.”
GuardianService
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