|
September 1,
2002 (Sunday)
Woodgate set for
England call
Sven Goran Eriksson
revealed his intention to recall Jonathan
Woodgate to the international fold as he promised "no revolution" to
his post-World Cup plans.
Although Woodgate is set to be summoned for next week's friendly
against Portugal, along with Leeds team-mates Paul Robinson and Alan
Smith, Lee Bowyer is likely to miss out unless there are a handful of
injuries.
Eriksson may be without Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt due to injury,
but Steven Gerrard, Danny Murphy and Frank Lampard are probably still
higher up the midfield pecking order than Bowyer.
The main talking point when Eriksson announces his squad on Monday is
nevertheless set to be Woodgate, who is now available for
international duty again.
His affray conviction meant that his international suspension was
extended, but the Football Association believe that - at two years
and nine months - his ban has now gone on long enough.
Eriksson observed: "It's very good as now I am a free man to pick
whoever I want.
"I agreed not to pick them as I thought there would have been a lot
of confusion around the national team and that's not good."
Asked whether a friendly was the ideal opportunity to get the
distractions ensuing from Woodgate's call-up out of the way, Eriksson
tellingly replied: "That might be. I think so, yes."
Bowyer was available for selection last season after being cleared of
all charges but, although Eriksson is an admirer of his talents, the
Leeds midfielder may yet have to wait awhile.
"If he goes on playing like he is now then he is very interesting. He
is doing very well," said the Swede.
"It should be very bad of me to judge a player without knowing him or
having him in the squad though.
"I'm not talking about Lee Bowyer but, in general, you can always
change.
"If you have done something stupid in your life, it doesn't mean that
you will necessarily do stupid things all your life."
It is still up to Bowyer to overtake the likes of Trevor Sinclair,
Joe Cole, Owen Hargreaves, Kieron Dyer and David Beckham, who are
already in possession of midfield places.
"I can't see big reasons to make change for change's sake. Those who
weren't in the World Cup squad have to show they are better than
those who were in it," revealed Eriksson.
"We don't need to change a generation here. Most of the players here
could play at the 2006 World Cup and maybe even longer.
"So I don't think we are going to make a revolution as, when we're
fit and not tired, we play very good football."
A measure of experience should be retained, especially in the form of
David Seaman, who remains the England coach's first-choice keeper.
"If you talk about David Seaman, he did well before the World Cup, at
the World Cup and now as well," insisted Eriksson.
"Especially with goalkeepers, you shouldn't look so much at their age.
"Dino Zoff was 40 when Italy won the World Cup in 1982 so we will
see. The older players are not necessarily out."
Wes Brown, Gary Neville and Robbie Fowler are definitely unavailable,
with Fowler's injury ensuring a call-up for Leeds team-mate Smith,
who impressed at the Under-21 European Championships.
"He has a temperament, which is good," said Eriksson.
"It can be too much sometimes but you can see that he lives for
football.
"He can play up front, outside right and possibly even outside left
if you wanted him to."
¡@
Next
article:
Exile
over for Woodgate and Bowyer
¡@Previous
article:
Tel:
I wouldn't put pressure
on my England players
<< Back to New and Articles
¡@
¡@
|
