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Friday, May 28, 2010

Carragher going to South Africa


England's final 23 hasn't come out yet but sources say that Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher will be making the trip.

His appearance against Mexico in the friendly the other day was his first national team appearance since 2007.

Soccernet understands Jamie Carragher is certain to be named in England's final 23-man World Cup squad and it is now accepted that he is first choice cover at right back.

Although Carragher came on in the centre of defence for the second half against Mexico, he will be included in Fabio Capello's final squad for South Africa because he is the best choice to be understudy to Liverpool team-mate Glen Johnson.

"Jamie Carragher was called back into the 30 with the intention of taking him in the 23 and nothing much has changed," a source close to the England camp told Soccernet.

"The reason is simple: we need two right backs and I don't see another right back other than Glen Johnson in the squad.

"It is true that James Milner or even Shaun Wright-Phillips would play there in an emergency, but the idea is for Jamie Carragher to deputise as right back."

Carragher can, obviously, also cover the centre-back position, and for that reason Capello is more inclined to take the risk of selecting Ledley King despite his persistent knee injuries.

The FA insider told Soccernet: "It looks increasingly like Ledley King will make it to South Africa. He has to have his usual routines and rest after matches without training, but yes he has the qualities and has proved himself with his club playing in successive games at the end of the season."

1 comment:

  1. Very interesting decision by the England Manager. Carragher turned his back on the England team a few years ago and played no role in their qualification for the World Cup. Yet he magically declared himself available a month before the squad needed to be announced. Not sure how I would feel as an England fan, but from afar it does seem unfair on players who were prepared to play from the outset.

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