Steve McClaren is considering offering Sol Campbell a surprise return to the England squad for the Euro 2008 qualifying games against Israel and Russia next month.
Injuries and Jamie Carragher’s decision to retire from international football have reduced the head coach’s options in central defence and McClaren’s captain, John Terry, was ruled out for a month at the weekend with medial ligament damage in a knee. That leaves the Chelsea man extremely doubtful for England’s first competitive games at Wembley, neither of which McClaren can afford to lose with his team lying fourth in Group E. Tottenham’s Ledley King is recovering from knee surgery and Jonathan Woodgate has yet to feature in Middlesbrough’s pre-season.
McClaren is unlikely to be able to persuade Carragher to return to the national set-up. The pair have spoken twice since the Liverpool center-half last month voiced his frustrations at being little more than a bit-part player for his country. They are due to meet next week for further talks and, although the head coach remains optimistic that he can instigate a rethink, Carragher is not inclined to reverse his decision, particularly as Terry may yet prove his fitness and again relegate the 29-year-old to the bench.
McClaren will thus consider shock recalls for Campbell, 32, and the 37-year-old goalkeeper David James, despite having so far ignored both of the Portsmouth players during his 12-month reign.
“You can’t close the door on anyone in this job,” said McClaren, who will watch Campbell and James, under consideration as back-up with Ben Foster currently injured, against Manchester United at Fratton Park in eight days’ time.
Two days later McClaren is due to name his squad to play Germany in a friendly at Wembley on August 22. “It would be silly and foolish of me to dismiss either Sol or David. I never said I would do it and I have no intention of doing it,” he added.
“Jamie [Carragher] is a very important player for England and a very important member of the squad. There is no way I want to lose him and I can totally understand his thought process. I am planning on resolving the matter with Jamie, but I do have to look at other options. Last season was a very good one for Sol and, with Ben Foster being injured as well, I will certainly be going to watch Portsmouth.
“I have brought players back in the past and, as long as players want to be involved with England, that is great.”
Campbell has not featured for his country since McClaren took over from Sven- Goran Eriksson after last summer’s World Cup campaign. He won his 69th and most recent cap as a replacement for the injured Rio Ferdinand in the final group game against Sweden in Germany, becoming the first England player to represent his country in six consecutive international tournaments. However, he labored in the ragged 2-2 draw, with Henrik Larsson equalizing in the final minute and the England defence deeply unconvincing.
Despite Campbell’s form improving dramatically at Portsmouth last season after a tortured final year at Arsenal – he was infamously replaced at half-time in a 3-2 home defeat by West Ham in February 2006, choosing to leave the stadium, such was his fragile state of mind – a chance to win a 70th cap comes as a surprise.
Some would consider it a retrograde step, with players such as Wes Brown and Micah Richards available, albeit often utilized at right-back. David Beckham, too, is struggling to shrug off an ankle complaint. To compound matters, Aaron Lennon is also unlikely to be available as he continues his recovery from surgery on a cartilage in a knee. The 20-year-old appeared jaded at times last season and pulled up during England B’s win against Albania in May. Spurs do not expect him to be fit until at best early September.
Possible returnees
Nick Barmby Hull, 33
18 goals in 85 games for Hull
Ugo Ehiogu Rangers, 34
‘If Sol can do it, so can I’
David James Portsmouth, 37
Awaiting another Robinson mistake
Darius Vassell Manchester City, 27
Able to operate up front or on the wing
Chris Powell Charlton, 37
Working as a coach
Danny Mills Manchester City, 30
One for the future
