Source: Team_Talk
Zamora cool on England chances
Fulham striker Bobby Zamora admits it would be "a dream come true" to play at the World Cup - but he has no idea whether England will pick him.[LNB] Zamora has proved his doubters wrong this season with a 19-goal haul, including eight in the Europa League during Fulham's march to the semi-finals.[LNB]The 29-year-old was the goal hero again on Thursday night as the Cottagers claimed an impressive 1-0 win at Wolfsburg to set up a last-four meeting with Hamburg.[LNB]Fulham fans, who questioned the former West Ham man's ability at the start of the season, have been won over by his exploits and critics alike are now calling for his inclusion in Fabio Capello's squad for South Africa.[LNB]However, when questioned on his chances of earning a late call, the uncapped striker calmly told Sky Sports News: "I don't know, you'd have to ask Mr Capello.[LNB]"To play in the World Cup would be a dream come true for any player," he admitted, before changing the subject to a niggling injury to his ankle.[LNB]Zamora said: "It's a bit stiff but that's football, we have so many games you're bound to pick up injuries but we'll scrub up, get a bit of treatment and crack on."[LNB]Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson, meanwhile, was equally cool on his player's chances of receiving an international call-up from Capello, claiming the decision will simply come down to a matter of opinion.[LNB]"Fabio knows all about him, he probably knows Bobby as well as I do - he sees him often enough," Hodgson told Sky Sports News.[LNB]"It'll just be a matter of whether he decides he's the man for him or whether he prefers someone else in that position."[LNB]Meanwhile, Danny Murphy has urged the Fulham hierarchy to do everything in their power to ensure Zamora is not tempted to leave Craven Cottage this summer.[LNB]Zamora, whose contract runs out at the end of next season, could be a target for other Premier League sides but Murphy believes the Cottagers must keep the striker if they are to continue their progress.[LNB]"He has been our best player by far this season. He's causing big problems for so called top-class defenders week in week out," said the Fulham captain of Zamora.[LNB]"The only worry for us now is whether we will be able to keep hold of him but let's hope that we can.[LNB]"I'd be surprised if there aren't clubs coming in for him this summer.[LNB]"There are financial restrictions at every club. Fulham can't compete with a club like Man City, obviously, so you have to be realistic but Bobby is an important part of the team and I think it is important that we keep all our best players at the club."[LNB]Zamora looked set to leave Craven Cottage last summer after the club accepted a bid from Hull following a dreadful first season for the striker in which he scored only four times in 41 appearances.[LNB]Now Murphy admits Fulham would not be able to stand in Zamora's way if a bigger club came in for the Londoner this summer.[LNB]"We want him to stay but of course the flip side of that is if a so-called bigger or more successful club than Fulham come in for him then you can't stand in his way," said Murphy, who will face his old side Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.[LNB]"But I think that Bobby wants to stay, he's happy. He showed great desire to stay at the club by rejecting the move to Hull and things have gone from strength to strength for him now."[LNB]Fulham face Liverpool and Wolves in the Premier League before travelling to Hamburg for the first leg of their first ever European semi-final on April 22.[LNB]If Fulham are to progress to the final, which is also being held in Hamburg, they will have to deal with the threat posed by former Manchester United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy.[LNB]The 33-year-old has become an instant hit with the Hamburg fans by scoring four goals in three starts since moving from Real Madrid in January.[LNB]Murphy knows the threat the Dutchman will pose but insists Fulham fear no-one having accounted for the likes of Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus and Wolfsburg to reach the semi-finals.[LNB]"Ruud Van Nistelrooy is a top-class striker who I have played against many times and he is a great finisher but they are going to have lots of players," said the 33-year-old.[LNB]"Hamburg are a progressing club. They have a great stadium but we are at that stage now where we don't fear anybody. We have come a long way and we have beaten some good teams along the way.[LNB]"Nobody gave us a chance this season to get this far and we therefore have to go into this match with a carefree attitude and believe we can win because we can win."
