O'Leary tips Woodgate for England role

David O'Leary has tipped Jonathan Woodgate to become an England regular alongside Leeds team-mate Rio Ferdinand.

O'Leary was speaking after Leeds' 1-0 win against Southampton at the St Mary's Stadium.

Woodgate - recently fined eight weeks' wages after being convicted of affray - started alongside Ferdinand.

O'Leary believes that partnership should be Sven-Goran Eriksson's first England choice.

He said: "There were a few tired legs out there, but I thought Woodgate - who had his second game in a few days when he might have ideally been left out - was excellent.

"We've been waiting for a while to put Woodgate and Rio Ferdinand together. There's a partnership there for many years to come for Leeds - and also for England.

"It wasn't the prettiest of games, but we were unlucky not to be a goal up at half time. It was a good, solid, workmanlike performance.

"We know we can play better, but we have a spirit of togetherness. We stayed solid and were always liable to score a goal. But we're not the finished article by any means - we're a good team with a lot of maturing to be done."

O'Leary hailed Lee Bowyer's "typical" late winner after he gave United the perfect end to a troubled year.

O'Leary added: "It was typical of the goals Lee can score over the season.

"The goal he got is his game. I had to get him to play out of position, on the left side of three in midfield, but he was able to receive the ball and get in the box."

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