Pompey's James is out injured, so who will keep out Kazakh hit-man Tleshev?

19 May 2009 11:10
England are facing a goalkeeping crisis as they attempt to close in on securing a place at next summer's World Cup. Portsmouth veteran David James has been ruled out until next season as he prepares to undergo surgery on a shoulder injury. And with Ben Foster also missing with a ruptured ligament in his right thumb, boss Fabio Capello is short on options. Sportsmail runs through the contenders to take over from James for next month's qualifying double-header with Kazakhstan and Andorra. PAUL ROBINSON Robinson is still haunted by his air-kick at Gary Neville's backpass against Croatia that triggered England's eventual failure to reach Euro 2008. The bulky stopper, who suffered a dramatic slump in form after his error, has not played for his country since the defeat in Russia in October 2007. But since joining Blackburn from Tottenham last summer, Robinson has gradually regained his form - and Sam Allardyce this week described him as the best in the Barclays Premier League. 'As an English goalkeeper, he is performing the best in this country at the moment,' said the Rovers manager. England record - Played: 41 Minutes: 3,350 Conceded: 22Season club record - Played: 40 Conceded: 66 ROBERT GREEN Ask West Ham fans, and they will tell you that Green should have become England's No 1 a long time ago. The Hammers star has been one of the most consistent goalkeepers in the Premier League over the past few seasons, yet continues to be overlooked by Capello. Regulars at Upton Park also point to Green's quick distribution as a key part of their fast-flowing game. 'As far as I am concerned, on form, he the best English goalkeeper,' said West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola earlier this month. 'He can be easily the No 1, and that doesn't come because he is my goalkeeper, it's because I see he's a very good goalkeeper - he gives you so much security.' England record - Played: 2 Minutes: 90 Conceded: 2Season club record - Played: 42 Conceded: 48 CHRIS KIRKLAND After emerging as a teenage star at Coventry, Kirkland failed to make the grade at Liverpool, the club he supported as a boy. Yet, he has since helped Wigan to establish themselves as a top-flight force despite struggling with a long-term back injury. Kirkland, whose only international appearance came almost three years ago, is currently on his way back to full fitness. 'For me, Chris is the best goalkeeper in England,' said Bruce in March. 'If he didn't have the problem he has with his back, he'd be England's No 1.' England record - Played: 1 Minutes: 45 Conceded: 0Season club record - Played: 34 Conceded: 43 SCOTT CARSON Labelled as England's future No 1 several years back, Carson has suffered a string of setbacks in recent times. Firstly, there was his howler for England against Croatia on the night their fading dream of reaching Euro 2008 finally died. And he has been at fault for a number of goals this season as West Bromwich Albion have suffered relegation back down to the Championship. 'Scott's been doing okay,' said Baggies boss Tony Mowbray recently. 'I certainly don't think he's suffering from any confidence problem.' England record - Played: 3 Minutes: 225 Conceded: 4Season club record - Played: 39 Conceded: 70 JOE HART Despite being regarded as one of England's candidates to take over from David James on a long-term basis, Hart currently finds himself on the sidelines. After emerging as Manchester City's No 1 under Sven Goran Eriksson, he was left out in the cold in January thanks to Shay Given's arrival from Newcastle. Hart must move on this summer if he is to force his way back into Capello's plans - and there will be plenty of Premier League clubs ready to swoop. 'Joe is going to be England's outstanding goalkeeper for the next 10 or 15 years,' said City boss Mark Hughes. 'But it is right that we have been able to take him out of the fire, allow him to step back and see where he is.' England record: Played: 1 Minutes: 45 Conceded: 0Season club record - Played: 33 Conceded: 41 JOE LEWIS The surprise package in the past year. Few England fans had heard of Peterborough goalkeeper Lewis when he was called up as a replacement for Kirkland last summer. Still just 21, he has impressed for Darren Ferguson's side in their successive promotions and the step up to the Championship will certainly benefit his game next season. One for the future right now, although Capello may feel next month is another opportunity to offer him a brief taste of international football. England record - Played 0Season club record - Played: 53 Conceded: 61 And watch out, Fabio!Kazakhstan and Andorra may not send a shiver down your spine but they do know how to put the ball in the back of the net. FC Aktobe's Murat Tleshev has scored over 100 goals in the Kazakh league. And don't forget they scored at Wembley in October (albeit conceding five at the other end in the process...). Andorra's Marc Pujol plays for Spanish third division club CF Balaguer and is his country's joint-top scorer in competitive internationals with, wait for it, two goals. Saying that, they've only scored 16 in their entire history...

Source: Daily_Mail