Source: Team_Talk
Green: Rivalry between keepers
Robert Green says that not knowing who will be England's number one keeper at the World Cup is fuelling rivalry between the three hopefuls.[LNB] Coach Fabio Capello has not yet declared his first choice for the opening game against the United States in Rustenburg on June 12, insisting that he does not want to declare his hand too early.[LNB]David James did appear to be Capello's preferred choice at the start of the season, when the Italian was more concrete in his ideas.[LNB]Yet injury has restricted the Portsmouth star to just one international appearance last term, as a substitute against the Ukraine in October after Green had been sent off.[LNB]Capello has also spoken in glowing terms about Joe Hart's development and refused to rule out the possibility that the 23-year-old could head to South Africa as his number one, despite winning only his second cap against Mexico on Monday night.[LNB]Yet Green would appear to be in pole position.[LNB]He has now started eight of the last 10 England games - the absent Ben Foster claimed the other two - and was again handed the jersey for the opening 45 minutes this week.[LNB]Green went on to produce two superb saves in the first half of England's 3-1 win, attracting more praise from a clearly impressed Capello.[LNB]"It is there for you to take your chance," said Green, who was making his 10th England appearance.[LNB]"I learned a lot more because it was a tough 45 minutes.[LNB]"Mexico had a lot of possession in our half and I didn't regard it as a friendly. It was a real international game."[LNB]It is the strange world a goalkeeper inhabits that England's struggles to contain Mexico in the opening period was to Green's advantage.[LNB]While Hart did not have that much to do once Steven Gerrard had been handed a central midfield berth after the interval, Green was called upon more often to keep Mexico out.[LNB]Hart may have wished it was the other way round and James will hope what looks like a hopelessly mismatched Japan side summon up some attacking spirit in Graz on Sunday to provide him with a bit of action to catch the eye.[LNB]Blackburn's Stephen Warnock, hoping for the chance to audition as Ashley Cole's stand-in in that match is a doubt after limping out of training today with a twisted ankle, but all three goalkeepers are raring to go.[LNB]Green, whose West Ham future continues to be the subject of intense debate even though Capello wanted such talk to cease until after the World Cup, insists the competition between the three goalkeepers is healthy.[LNB]"In international football, chances don't come along very often," he said.[LNB]"We are all in the running and it shouldn't be any other way. There is a strong rivalry but it is something that's healthy.[LNB]"We are determined to keep pushing each other.[LNB]"We are all getting on well and looking to take our chance when it comes. That is what the manager wants.[LNB]"But whoever plays, the other two are behind him. We are encouraging each other, which is the best thing for England."[LNB]Hart benefited for spending last season on loan at Birmingham and has developed his game to become a far more rounded keeper than the one who left Eastlands during the summer.[LNB]Like Green, there are question marks over Hart's future as Shay Given would still appear to be Roberto Mancini's number one.[LNB]For now, though, the former Shrewsbury star is concentrating on international matters, admitting he has no idea what Capello is thinking about the situation.[LNB]"I am still looking over my shoulder," said Hart,[LNB]"I couldn't tell you what the manager is thinking. He keeps his cards very close to his chest but everyone has done well when they have had their chance.[LNB]"We were completely out the way in the training camp in Austria and well away from all the hype that goes with the World Cup.[LNB]"It helped to get to know each other as a group and these are exciting times.[LNB]"It is great to be in with a shout and to be involved."
