Capello Turns to King for His Latest Surprise
Fabio Capello has kept his reputation for enjoying surprise with new, old and missing faces in the England squad
The element of surprise continues to be one of Fabio Capello's main weapons. He not only included Ledley King in an England party, after an absence of almost two years, but dropped others from his plans for the friendly with Slovakia next Saturday and, more significantly, the World Cup qualifier with Ukraine. Both matches are at Wembley.
King has had a serious problem since surgery has left him with little remaining cartilage in his right knee. This limits his appearances for Tottenham and restricts his training severely. He cannot work normally with the rest of the squad during the week and usually joins them only on the eve of a match so he can be observed in the preparations set-pieces.
Hitherto Capello has been wary of players, including Michael Owen at Newcastle United, whose fitness is in doubt. The difference with King, of course, is that he can thrive for his club. Capello was evidently impressed by the quality of the defender when in shape.
The England manager must have been encouraged by performances in the Tottenham revival. Aaron Lennon, for instance, is promoted from the under-21s, although he has not been capped at full international level since 2007. His use of the ball does seem to have become more accurate of late. Injury to Arsenal's Theo Walcott has also improved his international prospects for the time being.
If certain footballers are on the rise, then others must fall from view. There is no room for the Aston Villa players Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor, who were both in the squad for the defeat by Spain last month. The dip in their form and that of their club as a whole has been a hindrance. The uncapped Leighton Baines, of Everton, has been included. This reflects, in part, the hamstring injury that rules out Manchester City's Wayne Bridge but it also recognises the solidity of the Everton team that had been thriving until the weekend defeat at Portsmouth. Joleon Lescott, who is also a Goodison player, has been brought back by Capello and Phil Jagielka retains his place after making his debut for England in Spain.
Continuity takes David Beckham nearer to establishing a record for his country. The midfielder, on loan to Milan from LA Galaxy, has equaled Bobby Moore's England record for an outfielder of 108 caps. Barring injury, it appears inevitable that he will break it. His involvement with his country now depends on appearances from the bench but his longevity has still been impressive.
Aspiring goalkeepers continue to be scarce and Ben Foster is accommodated after his showing for Manchester United in the League Cup final shoot-out win, even though he is still Edwin van der Sar's understudy at Old Trafford.
King has had a serious problem since surgery has left him with little remaining cartilage in his right knee. This limits his appearances for Tottenham and restricts his training severely. He cannot work normally with the rest of the squad during the week and usually joins them only on the eve of a match so he can be observed in the preparations set-pieces.
Hitherto Capello has been wary of players, including Michael Owen at Newcastle United, whose fitness is in doubt. The difference with King, of course, is that he can thrive for his club. Capello was evidently impressed by the quality of the defender when in shape.
The England manager must have been encouraged by performances in the Tottenham revival. Aaron Lennon, for instance, is promoted from the under-21s, although he has not been capped at full international level since 2007. His use of the ball does seem to have become more accurate of late. Injury to Arsenal's Theo Walcott has also improved his international prospects for the time being.
If certain footballers are on the rise, then others must fall from view. There is no room for the Aston Villa players Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor, who were both in the squad for the defeat by Spain last month. The dip in their form and that of their club as a whole has been a hindrance. The uncapped Leighton Baines, of Everton, has been included. This reflects, in part, the hamstring injury that rules out Manchester City's Wayne Bridge but it also recognises the solidity of the Everton team that had been thriving until the weekend defeat at Portsmouth. Joleon Lescott, who is also a Goodison player, has been brought back by Capello and Phil Jagielka retains his place after making his debut for England in Spain.
Continuity takes David Beckham nearer to establishing a record for his country. The midfielder, on loan to Milan from LA Galaxy, has equaled Bobby Moore's England record for an outfielder of 108 caps. Barring injury, it appears inevitable that he will break it. His involvement with his country now depends on appearances from the bench but his longevity has still been impressive.
Aspiring goalkeepers continue to be scarce and Ben Foster is accommodated after his showing for Manchester United in the League Cup final shoot-out win, even though he is still Edwin van der Sar's understudy at Old Trafford.
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