Anyone fancy playing for England ?
Get yourself over to Brazil.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/england-football-team-theo-walcott-1925015Theo Walcott could get his dream chance of playing as England’s centre-forward because of an injury crisis.
With Jermain Defoe nursing an Achilles injury and Danny Welbeck a major doubt for Sunday's friendly here against Brazil with a knee problem, Walcott trained in the No9 role on Friday.
Daniel Sturridge damaged ankle ligaments against Ireland on Wednesday and has not travelled to South America, while Wayne Rooney could end up playing wide or as a support striker.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could miss out on the weekend's glamour clash with a calf injury, while Andy Carroll pulled out of the original squad before the Ireland game.
It all leaves England boss Roy Hodgson facing the humiliating prospect of not even being able to fill the subs' bench on Sunday - he potentially has only 14 fit outfield players.
Hodgson is weighing up using a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 against Brazil in a match marking the opening of the refurbished Maracana Stadium.
If he goes with the latter, we could see Leighton Baines filling in as an emergency left-winger.
It does not bode well for England or Hodgson but, with a year to go until the World Cup finals begin here, Walcott - who scored 21 goals for Arsenal in the season just ended - is determined to grasp his chance.
Walcott said: “It will be fantastic. I said I wanted to play up front.
“People say I have played up front, but I have had limited opportunities this year I have played on the wing and got most of my goals from there.
“Playing for England in any position is a dream.
“The manager picks the team and whoever plays will go out and do a job and hope to win. I have had a go in training, so we will see.
“I think I am the top English scorer in the Premier League, my confidence is good and that was from playing on the wing. I will play anywhere for club and country and the goal-scoring side of things have got much better.”
Hodgson will give Welbeck a late test, but hinted the Manchester United youngster is struggling to even make the bench.
He has also admitted Defoe will struggle to complete the 90 minutes, so is likely to be a substitute.
PROBABLE TEAMS
Brazil Cesar; Alves, Silva, Luiz, Marcelo; Paulinho, Hernanes; Neymar, Oscar, Hulk; Damiao.
England Hart; Johnson, Jagielka, Lescott, Cole; Jones, Lampard, Carrick; Milner, Rooney, Walcott.
Comments
I suppose everyone turned around and said no, that's pretty embarrassing for the national team, unless no one was asked in the end.
I know Algarve, I'm just surprised the pool of players wasn't bigger, or a few people could have been put on standby at least, I mean it should still be an honour to represent your country against one of the most famous national teams in the world, even if you have to associate yourself with muppets like Cole and Rooney
Rooney up front again...terrific.
England need to improve their decision-making on the ball. It was poor against Ireland when a number of individuals specialised on taking the wrong option on nearly every occasion.
Most of this squad will be out there next year (if we qualify) so get a taste of the country and the heat/humidity.
The England team can run around a bit and will occasionally upset a big team, but they're never going to win any silverware.