James tipped to face Algeria
England go into their crucial game against Algeria tonight having been given a massive boost by the return of Gareth Barry.
The Manchester City midfield player is a key man as far as Fabio Capello is concerned, acting as the anchorman in the middle of the park alongside Frank Lampard.
Capello looks set to stick with Emile Heskey up front alongside Wayne Rooney, and the inclusion of Barry means that England can return to the 4-2-3-1 system that served them so well in the qualifying campaign.
With Barry there Steven Gerrard can be pushed on into a more attacking role (albeit on the left wing), and Lampard is given a bit more freedom to roam.
Selecting the former Villa man was an easy decision for the England manager.
The goalkeeping situation is less straightforward and has been the source of national debate this week. It looked as though Rob Green would retain his place in the starting line-up despite his costly error against the USA.
However, reports today are suggesting that David James could be recalled to the side, after Green performed badly in yesterday's training session.
James had dropped behind Green and Joe Hart in the pecking order last week, but it now seems as though Capello might have changed his mind, and is leaning towards the experienced Portsmouth stopper.
Algeria are experiencing goalkeeping problems of their own, with Faouzi Chaouchi a doubt, though Rabah Saadane may have been tempted to change his keeper anyway after Chaouchi's blunder against Slovenia.
Exposing a lack of pace in the England defence is likely to be Algeria's main hope, but it will be a tall order considering that their only goal in their last six matches came from the penalty spot.
Anything other than a win for England will leave them needing a win against Slovenia on Wednesday, but their opponents will also be desperate for a result, knowing that a defeat will send them out of the competition.
In Cape Town tonight we will see whether England can bounce back from their disappointing draw with the USA, or whether they will once again be left wondering where it all went wrong.
Possible England line-up (4-2-3-1): James, Johnson, Carragher, Terry, A Cole, Lampard, Barry, Lennon, Gerrard, Rooney, Heskey
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Friday 10 February 2012
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