Downing gets England backing

Boss backs midfielder to push former Villa man in England set-up

By Elliot Ball   Last updated: 8th August 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Downing gets England backing

Downing: Rival to Barry

If Downing plays centrally he could become a contender with Gareth Barry.

Martin O'Neill
Quotes of the week

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has tipped Stewart Downing to push Gareth Barry for a place in the England team.

Three Lions boss Fabio Capello will name his first squad of the new season on Saturday evening for next Wednesday's friendly against Holland with Michael Owen's potential inclusion grabbing the headlines.

But O'Neill has instead taken the time to mention his recent £12million acquisition as a deserving candidate for a starting berth in the future.

New-boy Downing will not feature in Wednesday's friendly, or the start of Villa's Premier League campaign, as he continues his recovery from a broken foot.

The 25-year-old is out until December, but his new manager has spoken to the England boss and O'Neill reckons his versatile midfielder can vie with former Villa man Barry for a place in the starting XI.

Flexible

"I can see Downing playing in a number of positions," O'Neill told the Daily Express.

"He can play wide left or wide right, he can play centrally and he can play off the strikers, which he has done many times for Middlesbrough.

"If Downing plays centrally he could become a contender with Gareth Barry. I know from previous reports the England manager is particularly happy with Stewart.

"Capello was asking me when I met him out in Spain last week how well is he progressing. Downing is doing very well, but won't be fit for some time.

"He gets the pin out in September and then we will have a better idea when Downing will be back."