Carragher on standby after King setback
JAMIE CARRAGHER is set to re-establish himself in the heart of the England defence after Ledley King was ruled out for three weeks with a groin muscle injury.
England boss Fabio Capello looks sure to turn to the veteran Liverpool defender for Friday’s second group stage match with Algeria after injury-plagued King limped out of the 1-1 draw with the United States.
King’s scan indicated a three-week lay-off, ruling the Spurs defender out of the two remaining group games and the last-16 tie, should England qualify.
Carragher, 32, was drafted into the England squad after being lured out of international retirement by Capello.
Now, he looks set to play a vital role alongside John Terry in the England back line, and the Reds’ stalwart believes the two can form a solid central defensive partnership.
“Yes, but if I’m given the opportunity,” Carragher said. “Time will tell, we’ll be able to assess after the performances.
“We have to be confident in the ability that both of us have got. I’m sure that experience will help us, that’s always a big thing in football. And the squad hasn’t changed that much from the 2006 World Cup, so we have a lot of experienced players here.”
Carragher has also backed goalkeeper Robert Green to start on Friday, despite his howler against the USA on Saturday night.
“For me, I always thought Robert Green was going to start because he was the always the first-choice pick,” he added.
“I’m not sure what he’ll do in the next game bit I was always sure if I was going to play in the game that Rob Green would be behind me. I’ve seen him this morning and he looks fine.”
TODAY’S MATCHES
New Zealand v Slovakia
Rustenburg, ko 12.30pm, ITV1
Ivory Coast v Portugal
Port Elizabeth, ko 3pm, ITV1
Brazil v North Korea
Johannesburg, ko 7.30pm, ITV1