Upson: Green's the man

West Ham goalkeeper backed for England call

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 29th October 2007

Green Robert

Green: Fine form

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Matthew Upson has backed his West Ham colleague Robert Green to solve England's goalkeeping woes.

Upson believes Green, who saved a last minute penalty in West Ham's 0-0 draw with Portsmouth on Saturday, is the man to take over England's No.1 shirt for the vital Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia on 21st November.

Current England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has received heavy criticism following a string of shaky performances and Hammers centre-back Upson believes Green now deserves his chance.

Green also produced a number of other fine saves at Fratton Park to keep Pompey at bay and, following solid form all season, Upson believes England manager Steve McClaren would be making a mistake to snub his team-mate.

The West Ham shot-stopper, who has been named in 24 England squads, earned his only cap to date against Colombia in the 2005 tour of the USA and Upson believes the time is now right to add to that tally.

Awesome

"He has been in awesome form all season, strong and commanding" Upson told the Daily Star.

"He has been outstanding and if he keeps going like that I can't see how England can overlook him.

"I can't think why you would want to keep him out but he has been in or around England a long time and maybe the case is that you start to be recognised as just a squad member and not a serious contender.

"That's the danger but I think he is now stating a case to play. If you're in enough squads and never actually playing you get pigeon-holed as a squad member.

"People ask: 'Is he good enough to step into the team?' He has been in a lot of squads but has a low number of caps."