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Wheater's holiday is on hold
WITH the curtain due to come down on his first full season as a Premier League footballer, Middlesbrough's David Wheater should already have planned his summer holidays.
Instead, with a sixth cap for the Under-21s pencilled in for next week, the promising defender has put a break abroad on hold, in the hope that his first England cap is just around the corner.
When Wheater was at Hartlepool United's Victoria Park to watch last month's England Under-18 game with Austria, he had a brief chat with Under-21s coach Stuart Pearce, who is also part of Fabio Capello's team.
And the discussion has left the Boro centre-back determined to impress for young England in next Thursday's friendly with Wales, with promotion to Capello's squad high in his thoughts.
After the disappointment of missing the 23-man cut when he was named in a provisional 30-strong pool for the defeat to France in March, Wheater has focused on the upcoming games with the USA and Trinidad & Tobago on May 28 and June 1 respectively.
"The two games are high in my thoughts. They are right in the middle of the holiday season so I can't book them. Hopefully I will be in. I have not spoken to the manager," said Wheater, named the club's young player of the year by supporters this week when Stewart Downing was handed the player of the year award.
"The fact I could get two caps for England is unbelievable. There's no way I'm going to plan for my holidays when I could get a chance. No way.
"I was saying to everyone that I didn't expect to be in the final cut for the France match, so I was not too disappointed. When the text came through that I was not in, I was not really too bothered. I was happy to be in the 30 and there's plenty time for me to break in."
Wheater, 21, has caught the eye of Capello despite a frustrating campaign for Middlesbrough, who had been fighting against the threat of relegation until last weekend's 2-0 win over Portsmouth.
And Redcar's rising star feels his game would benefit from working alongside the Italian, whose illustrious career has claimed league titles in Spain and Italy.
"Capello has managed all of the top teams and won things in the best leagues around," said Wheater. "Most have said he is one of the best coaches in the world and the experience of that would be brilliant. I'm sure it would help me to develop my game."
With top class competition for a starting place for England from John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Jonathan Woodgate and Sol Campbell, Wheater knows forcing his way into Capello's team will be hard.
If Middlesbrough faired better in the Premier League next season, success at the Riverside Stadium would certainly help his personal cause.
And, rather than wait until the penultimate game of the season to preserve top-flight status, Wheater believes manager Gareth Southgate will steer the club through better times next season.
"It's important that we play well because if we do it regularly the fans have no reason to stay-away," said Wheater, ahead of Sunday's visit of Manchester City to Teesside. "Next season, with the funds around for new faces and the likes of Afonso Alves being better, I'm sure things will improve.
"I have said all along that the aim should be Europe. People might think I am being silly but with the players we have got there's no reason why we shouldn't be aiming for Europe. We were there a few seasons ago and the squad we have now is better."
Wheater has helped launch a charity abseil at the Riverside Stadium on June 14. Volunteers are urged to raise a minimum £50 sponsorship for the Teesside Hospice. Places are limited. To book a place call 01642 355866.
Boro's current season card holders are reminded that they have until 7pm on Sunday to take advantage of an earlybird offer and renew for 2008-09 at this season's prices.
4:04am Friday 9th May 2008
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