11:17am Sunday 28th February 2010
By Paul Fraser
IT would seem Darren Bent’s last chance to force his way into the England squad for this summer’s World Cup has gone.
One look at Capello’s latest squad for this Wednesday’s friendly with Egypt suggests that, barring injuries, the Italian has made up his mind on his forwards.
And, to Stewart Downing’s gain, there is also a familiar feel about the midfield positions, while the question marks remain over the defensive and goalkeeper positions.
Like it or not Sunderland fans, there would appear to be only one of five striker berths up for grabs. Wayne Rooney, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Emile Heskey all look certainties, while Carlton Cole still looks like the man who could be replaced.
But with Bent’s 16 goals this season not deemed sufficient enough for him to be named in this latest party ahead of West Ham’s nine-goal front-man, it is difficult to imagine the Black Cats’ £10m man forcing his way back in.
Even if Bent breaks the 20 goals in a season barrier, Capello looks to have made up his mind, particularly after witnessing him play poorly in a left-wing role at Arsenal eight days ago.
From a North-East point of view, we all have to hope the England boss changes his thinking. Not to have a player from one of the region’s clubs playing for this country at this year’s finals would be depressing.
But at least Downing has been given further assurance of the high regard Capello has for him.
When there was an increased demand for Joe Cole to be handed a recall after a return to fitness with Chelsea, the former Middlesbrough winger has basically been included at Cole’s expense.
Most had written off Downing’s chances of playing in South Africa because of the injury which prevented him from playing in his first few months as an Aston Villa player.
But the young man from Pallister Park’s form for Villa since November has earned him a recall, highlighting that he is likely to be boarding that plane to the finals.
When you think about it, it is no surprise. With a shortage of naturally gifted left-footers, Downing’s experience has him ahead of his old Boro team-mate Adam Johnson at this stage.
And while Johnson could force himself into Capello’s plans if his exciting early form for Manchester City continues, Downing’s adaptability is what his England coach likes the most.
Most people have laughed off this suggestion in the last week, but Downing could also provide an unlikely option as a left-back.
Given the way Capello has had to include the untested Leighton Baines and Stephen Warnock in his latest squad in an attempt to solve a left-back crisis threatening the national team following the Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge dramas, Downing could fill in.
Perhaps he should not be the first choice in that role if Cole fails to make the World Cup, but he would at least provide Capello with an option. Downing is extremely composed in possession, keen to drive down the line and a good distributor of the ball.
Regardless of where he plays, Downing and Tyneside-born Michael Carrick look destined to be the North-East’s representatives in the England squad, which would be bad news for Bent.
England squad for the friendly with Egypt at Wembley on Wednesday 3 March: James (Portsmouth), Green (West Ham), Hart (Birmingham), Brown (Man Utd), Terry (Chelsea), Upson (West Ham), Lescott (Man City), Shawcross (Stoke), Baines (Everton), Warnock (Aston Villa), Milner (Aston Villa), Beckham (AC Milan), Walcott (Arsenal), Lampard (Chelsea), Barry (Man City), Gerrard (Liverpool), Carrick (Man Utd), Wright-Phillips (Man City), Downing (Aston Villa), Heskey (Aston Villa), Defoe (Tottenham), Rooney (Man Utd), Crouch (Tottenham), C Cole (West Ham).
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