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23 December 2005

by FIFAworldcup.com

As footballers across Europe prepare for a welcome pause over Christmas, in England they are bracing themselves for the busiest period of the season. Four matches in eight days is the schedule facing the Premiership clubs but for those players entering January with a few aches and strains, the arrival of FIFA World Cup? year should certainly help focus the mind.

The good news for the English players in the multi-national Premiership is that there are still places in manager Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad to be won. Eriksson's first-choice starting XI appears set in stone ? despite questions over the best central defensive pairing ? but the Swede's recent claim to be looking for players for three specific positions offers hope to those on the fringes of the squad.

Eriksson claimed last week that he already had 20 players in mind but for the remaining berths admitted he would "have to start thinking harder". He went on: "Maybe I'm just looking for a fourth striker, perhaps one full-back and the third goalkeeper. You always hope some new player will come on, although with just six months to go that is not very likely."

Bent shows promise

Eriksson added that he was "very open-minded" about his final selection and this should offer encouragement to those hopeful of making the trip to Germany, among them the Charlton Athletic attacker Darren Bent. The jet-heeled 21-year-old was the revelation of the opening weeks of the Premiership season, scoring five goals in his first four matches after his summer move from the second-tier side Ipswich Town.

Eriksson rewarded Bent with a call-up for the August friendly against Denmark and, while not playing, the striker also featured in the squads for England's concluding qualifiers in September and October. Although he dropped down to the U-21s last month for their key UEFA European Championship qualifier against France, it would be a surprise if Bent did not get a further opportunity to stake his claim in the new year.

After all, he sits alongside Wayne Rooney as the highest-placed English forward in the Premiership scoring charts with nine goals. Presuming Liverpool's Peter Crouch is going to be in the squad, along with Rooney and Michael Owen, then Bent could well threaten the fourth place currently occupied by Jermain Defoe, a player who for all his promise has only one goal from 15 international appearances.

Bent, of course, is just one name on the list of 'possibles'. Another is the Manchester United youngster Kieran Richardson and Eriksson said of the pair: "It's really up to them to convince me they should be in the final group." Midfielder Richardson, also 21, impressed during England's tour of the United States last May, marking his debut with both goals in a 2-1 win over the hosts.

That followed a successful loan spell at West Bromwich Albion and this term Richardson has finally earned regular first-team football at Old Trafford, albeit often in the left-back berth vacated by the injured Gabriel Heinze. That versatility may help his England prospects although Eriksson will doubtless consider more established full-backs, including Chelsea?s Wayne Bridge.

The problem for Bridge ? who would provide cover for Ashley Cole at left-back ? is getting enough first-team football with Chelsea to rediscover his best form following a long-term injury. Other contenders include Luke Young, and Paul Konchesky ? both of whom had opportunities this autumn - and the experienced and versatile Phil Neville.

Advice from Hurst

As for the third position Eriksson is looking to fill, that of third goalkeeper behind Paul Robinson and David James, Norwich City's Robert Green is currently the man in possession but could face a challenge from Chris Kirkland who, fitness permitting, has the advantage of playing Premiership football with West Bromwich Albion.

It is certain other players will push hard for places in the coming months ? Middlesbrough left winger Stewart Downing could be one to watch - and they can all take encouragement from the words of Sir Geoff Hurst, one of the heroes of England?s 1966 FIFA World Cup triumph. Hurst, whose hat-trick in the final won England the crown, only broke into the squad in the months leading up to the 1966 tournament and he offers the following advice: "I'd say if you think you've got half a chance, make sure you have a great year and if anything happens you've done your best at club level to be selected."