Portsmouth Football Club News

• Nickname:Pompey
• Founded:1898
• Manager:Michael Appleton

• Ground:Fratton Park
• Capacity:19,179

James tipped for England return

25 Oct 2006 - 14:49:49

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Portsmouth defender Sol Campbell has called on Steve McClaren to recall his team-mate David James to the England squad.

McClaren jettisoned both Campbell and James from the national set-up after replacing Sven-Goran Eriksson as head coach in the wake of the disappointing World Cup campaign.

Campbell accepts that strong competition for the centre-back spots means he is unlikely to play for England again, but with a shortage of top-class goalkeepers available, he does not see how the in-form James can continue to be overlooked.

The former Arsenal star said: "Jamo is unbelievable at the moment, unbelievable. I think he should be back in the England squad. He's solid, he's focused, his work ethic is superb and he wants to do well.

"In fact, he's playing his best football for a long time, he really is. He's fighting to get back into the England side and you just can't keep on ignoring him.

"All over the world there are people playing football, it doesn't matter what age. You can't keep on saying he's 36 or whatever. He is playing top football here and now.

"Who knows what he's going to be like in two years' time? It doesn't matter. He's playing brilliantly now."

James, who joined Pompey from Manchester City in the summer, won the last of his 34 caps in the 6-0 victory against Jamaica in a pre-World Cup friendly.