David James is set to be handed a shock recall to England's starting line-up for this evening's critical Group C fixture against Algeria after Fabio Capello decided against selecting Robert Green following his costly error against the United States.
The veteran Portsmouth goalkeeper is to replace Green at the Green Point stadium after the England manager opted for experience in a fixture that the national team can ill afford not to win. Capello had been impressed by the manner in which Green recovered his poise following his handling mistake against the USA, which presented Clint Dempsey with an equalising goal, but he remained concerned that his defenders’ faith in the goalkeeper had been significantly eroded.
Furthermore, Green appeared nervous in front of the media at open training at the ground yesterday, fumbling two shots from Ray Clemence in one of the early drills. While the youngster, Joe Hart, has been consistently the most impressive of the three goalkeepers in training since the squad first convened in Austria ahead of the tournament, Capello has now opted for the 39-year-old James’s know-how in the hope he will provide surety as England attempt to kick-start their World Cup campaign.
James won his 50th cap in the recent defeat of Japan in Graz but, having been a regular over the first year of Capello’s reign, slipped behind Green in the pecking order last season. Even so, he had been expected to start the tournament as the Italian's No1 and was disappointed not to be selected against the USA in Rustenburg last Saturday.
He will now have his chance to impress tonight. Capello is only due to speak to his goalkeepers later today to confirm who he has decided to pick, with the rest of the side to be informed some two hours before kick-off this evening.
© Guardian News and Media 2010
