Carew backs Milner for England

Villa front man thinks team-mate will be on the plane

Last updated: 8th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Carew backs Milner for England

Milner and Carew in celebration

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Aston Villa striker John Carew has backed team-mate James Milner to make England's World Cup squad.

The big Norwegian feels Milner's versatility could prove invaluable in South Africa, with the in-form winger able to operate on either flank, as a second striker or even at full-back.

Both players impressed on Saturday as Villa routed Bolton 5-1 and Carew believes that if Milner retains such form he will on the plane to South Africa.

Carew said: "James should be on the plane for the World Cup - absolutely. He has been our most consistent player for a while now and he almost never has a bad game.

"He can play anywhere on the field, he is right and left footed and can be a very important player for England.

"I know on the right side of midfield he could be up against Aaron Lennon, Shaun Wright-Phillips and David Beckham and I know it is not easy to break into the England first team.

"But still you need a player who can come in and do the job for you, whether it's on the left or the right without lowering the level of the team, and James fits that bill.

"If he is not first choice he can be a very good second choice and is a player you can put in any situation in the game and almost any position on the field, and know he is good on the ball, and is always consistent.

"That versatility might well help him with England and he deserves to go to the World Cup."

Handful

Carew was virtually unplayable on Saturday and made it a torrid afternoon for the former Villa centre-back duo of Gary Cahill and Zat Knight and is now close to his best after early season injury niggles.

"I just needed to get in shape and it takes a month or two before I start going," he added.

"That is the same every year. You get a few games, and you get the rhythm going first of all and then the chances and the goals will come. I wasn't worried about that.

"I had a few injury niggles early season and it sets you back and you lose the rhythm a little bit, but now I've had a few games in a row and games get me in shape and the goals are coming and I hope it continues.

"I know I normally have an edge on defenders so, if I just go 100%, I normally win the challenges."