Friday, March 17, 2006

 
Neville backing Brown for World Cup berth

Gary Neville is tipping Manchester United team-mate Wes Brown to join him in England's World Cup squad this summer.

Brown took advantage of Neville's broken metatarsal four years ago to force his way into Sven-Goran Eriksson's party which headed to the Far East but never got on the field as England crashed out to Brazil in the quarter-finals.
At Christmas, Brown's chances of making it to Germany appeared slim as he had only just returned from the latest of a succession of injuries and all Eriksson's central defensive berths appeared to be cemented.
But, a stunning return to form, coupled with Sol Campbell's disastrous performance against West Ham and subsequent ankle injury, forced Brown back into Eriksson's squad for the recent friendly with Uruguay.
And, while Brown did not get the opportunity to add to his nine caps, Neville is convinced the 26-year-old can gatecrash England's World Cup party.
'Wes is certainly in the frame,' Neville told MUTV.
'The way he has been playing since Christmas has been outstanding. Alan Shearer hardly got a kick against him on Sunday.
'He was in the squad for the Uruguay game and he has done everything he can possibly do to stay in it.
'Now, he has 10 more games to remain in form and, like everyone else, stay fit.
'If he does that, I am sure Wes will be on the plane to Germany.'
Neville is expected to make his 499th United appearance at West Brom tomorrow, one away from becoming only the eight player in Red Devils history to join the exclusive 500 club.
Whether Ruud van Nistelrooy is given the opportunity to play his 212th game for United is a more debatable point.
The Dutchman has been frozen out of Sir Alex Ferguson' starting line-up ever since he was axed from the side which beat Wigan in the Carling Cup final last month.
Already, Tottenham and Newcastle have been linked with a summer move for Van Nistelrooy, who himself is just two goals away from notching a landmark 150 for the Old Trafford outfit.
Given the spectacular first-half performance against the Magpies last week, it would have been a surprise if Van Nistelrooy did oust Louis Saha.
The former PSV Eindhoven man was absent from United's Carrington training ground yesterday attending a funeral in his native Holland, which explained his absence from George Best's memorial service.
However, his chances of a recall to face West Brom appear to hinge on whether Ferguson deems now would be a good time to give Wayne Rooney a rest.
Jude

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