As Gary Neville offers to come to the rescue, Sportsmail salutes England's 35-plus World Cup heroes

12 March 2010 13:50
It's by no means a done deal but Manchester United's veteran full-back Gary Neville has emerged as a contender for a place in Fabio Capello's World Cup squad. [LNB]His performance against AC Milan has impressed the England boss so much that he rates as a decent outside bet for South Africa. [LNB]Neville turned 35 last month and, if he makes it to the tournament, will join an elite band of English players that age to feature at a Finals.[LNB]Here Sportsmail takes a looks at the golden oldies who have represented the Three Lions at the World Cup.[LNB]Evergreen: Stanley Matthews[LNB]Stanley Matthews (1950 and 1954 World Cups)No surprises as to who the original England golden oldie was. Sir Stan was turning out for England before most of the current squad's parents were even born. [LNB]He was 35 at the Finals in Brazil and was still doing the business in Switzerland four years later aged 39.  [LNB]His enduring record could be put down to his lifestyle - he was a vegetarian and teetotal.[LNB] However it is more likely due to the fact that he was the finest footballer of his generation who was still turning out for England when he won the Ballon D'Or in 1956.[LNB]Recalled: Tom Finney[LNB]Tom Finney (1958 World Cup)Sir Tom's had been voted player of the year 12 months before he appeared for England at the World Cup in Sweden aged 36. And the Preston striker had been in fine form leading up to the tournament. [LNB]He had scored 26 goals in 35 appearances before travelling to the Finals. [LNB]But in Sweden but he only managed one appearance and one goal, from the penalty spot as England failed to make it out of the group stage. [LNB]Czech this out: Jack Charlton against Ivo Viktor in Mexico[LNB]Jack Charlton (1970 World Cup) A 1966 World Cup winner, Big Jack was one of a handful of players to feature in both tournaments of '66 and 1970. [LNB]A stalwart of the successful Leeds United side of the late 60s and early 70s, but he wasn't a regular starter for England by the time of the tournament in Mexico. [LNB]Charlton made just one appearance alongside Bobby Moore in the heart of defence before England crashed out in the quarter-finals to Germany.[LNB]Get a feel of the ball : Sven Goran Eriksson gives Teddy Sheringham his orders in 2002[LNB]Teddy Sheringham(2002 World Cup)A lengthy gap until our next 35-plus player featured at the World Cup.[LNB]Teddy had just returned to Tottenham after his highly-successful sabbatical with Manchester United and was 36 by the time he arrived for the tournament in Korea and Japan.[LNB]Sheringham had helped Spurs to a ninth place finish in the Premier League and to reach the League Cup final before joining up with Sven's squad. [LNB]He had also betted against Greece in the final qualifier best remembered for THAT David Beckham free kick.[LNB]Sheringham made four appearances, all as sub, as England were beaten by  the 10 men of Brazil in the quarter-final. [LNB]Martin Keown - 2002 World Cup Keown made 22 league appearances for Arsenal during the 2001-02 season as Arsenal won to their second Double under Arsene Wenger in four years.[LNB]Neither regular for his club - behind Sol Campbell and Tony Adams, or for country - behind Campbell and Rio Ferdinand, the 35-year-old did travel with the squad but failed to make an appearance. [LNB] No play, no game: Martin Keown (left) was at the 2002 finals but didn't play[LNB] Arsenal winning the Premier League this season would be even better than the 'Invincibles', says Gunners star Gael ClichyChelsea's reunion with Jose Mourinho will be extra special... for the Blues: Bullish John Terry predicts defeat of Inter MilanCapello considering Neville amid concerns over Johnson and BrownIf at first you don't succeed, spend £250m...and fail again! Madrid are in Real trouble [LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail