Source: Eurosport
Capello keeps door open
Fabio Capello has not ruled out the possibility of a Theo Walcott-style surprise name in England's World Cup squad.[LNB] Walcott famously earned a place in Sven-Goran Eriksson's 23-man party for the 2006 tournament in Germany, despite not having played a first-team game for Arsenal following a January transfer from Southampton.[LNB] As the clock begins to tick down towards Capello's date with destiny in South Africa next summer, Capello has not totally rejected the idea of picking a player who has never previously featured in the 20 England squads he has selected so far. "Yes. It is possible," he said.[LNB] "It would have to be a young player because I know the older ones better. We have four good young players already: James Milner, Aaron Lennon, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Theo Walcott. They can all improve even more this season."[LNB] When a couple of names were thrown at him, Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs received a positive response, although "he has to play". But Everton's Jack Rodwell was greeted with stony, non-plussed silence.[LNB] Gibbs apart, it is difficult to see Capello looking outside a core of 35 names, 16 of which he already has in his head as players he has plans to take.[LNB] The remaining seven will be decided on form grounds much nearer the time, which is why Peter Crouch cannot rest on his laurels despite his Wembley double.[LNB] "More or less," said Capello, when asked whether 16 players were virtually booked on the flight. "But I have to repeat the same thing every time. The door is open for all the players.[LNB] "We have to wait until April to see what the situation is with the players.[LNB] "I have spoken with some players who are injured like (Stewart) Downing and (Owen) Hargreaves. But I need to wait for all the players."
