Downing Not Out Of World Cup Contention
Forgotten man Stewart Downing begins the long road back to the England squad tonight when he lines up for Middlesbrough's reserve team. If all goes well he could be in the first team squad travelling to Arsenal on Saturday, and from there he could force his way back into Sven-Goran Eriksson's England thinking.
21-year old Downing made his international debut against Holland in February 2005, and is one of the few naturally left sided midfielders available to Sven. He's been out of action since September 2005 with a knee injury that required surgery.
Joe Cole has made England's left side his own recently but an in-form Downing will offer England some genuine width and 45eachway hopes to see him running around in an England shirt with his tongue hanging out (see picture) in the March friendly against Uruguay.
Source: The Guardian
posted by 45eachway @ Tuesday, January 10, 2006
2 comments
2 Comments:
I don't know much about Stewart Downing, but England should consider Joey Barton for the left side. I know he usually plays in the middle for Man City, but he is a tireless worker, does well to hold the ball and has been in form all season. He's had some personal troubles in the last year or so but so did Rooney when he was called up.
The days of players 'having a go' on England's left side are gone. Remember when any half decent English centre mid was played there in the hope it would work? Paul Scholes, David Dunn, Owen Hargreaves, Nick Barmby, Trevor Sinclair, Kieron Dyer... the list is endless.
Joey Barton deserves a chance in a white shirt, but in his proper position not stuck out on the left.
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