Source: Team_Talk
Carragher ready to partner Terry
Jamie Carragher is ready to partner John Terry at the heart of England's defence in the absence of the injured Ledley King.[LNB] England boss Fabio Capello looks set to turn to the veteran Liverpool defender for Friday's match against Algeria, after he replaced King at half-time of the 1-1 draw with the United States.[LNB]King suffered a groin injury in the opener against the USA and it is unclear how long he will be sidelined.[LNB]Carragher, who joined England's World Cup squad after Capello lured him out of international retirement, believes he can form a solid defensive partnership with Terry if he is given the chance.[LNB]"Yes, but if I'm given the opportunity. Time will tell, we'll be able to assess after the performances," he said.[LNB]"You have got to be confident with the ability both players have got."[LNB]Carragher was a part of the England World Cup squad that reached the quarter-finals in Germany four years ago and he believes that experience will stand him in good stead.[LNB]"I'm sure that will help it is always a big thing in football, experience," he added.[LNB]"A lot of experienced players in the squad have been to World Cups before. I don't think the squad has changed that much from four years ago. Hopefully (we can) build on the experience from then and go one better."[LNB]Capello has come in for criticism for opting not to tell his players who would be staring the match against the USA until hours before kick-off.[LNB]Carragher defended his manager, however, saying it was usual in club football for players not to know the starting line-up until just before kick-off.[LNB]"I've played for Liverpool for 12-14 years and the manager always tells us the team two hours before the game," he said.[LNB]"It's no different. I'm not sure what other teams do, I've never known anything different."[LNB]Carragher also said he had expected goalkeeper Robert Green to be named between the posts and rubbished claims a lack of preparation may have been a contributing factor for the howler that gifted Clint Dempsey an equaliser.[LNB]"Before the game if you asked me I would have said Rob Green is playing. I think he's played nearly every international running in," he added.[LNB]"For me I always thought Robert Green was going to start because he was always the first-choice pick.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"I've seen him this morning and he looks fine."[LNB]Carragher was also confident Capello would ride out the rising criticism surrounding the Italian.[LNB]He added: "I'm sure Fabio Capello will be fine. He's been manager of Real Madrid and AC Milan.[LNB]"I know we talk about the pressure of managing England but speaking to some of the Spanish players I think Real Madrid is another topic all together.[LNB]"I'm sure he'll be fine."
