Zola - Green deserves gloves

Boss backs keeper to be England's first choice at World Cup

Last updated: 5th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Zola - Green deserves gloves

Green: Received Zola's backing for England

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West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola believes Robert Green has improved this term and fully deserves to be England's number one.

The Hammers keeper was picked ahead of rivals David James and Joe Hart to start England's 3-1 win over Egypt on Wednesday.

Green is seen by many as the favourite to claim the keeper's jersey for the World Cup finals and Zola has backed his player for the position.

The West Ham boss believes the 30-year-old has improved as the season has progressed and fully deserves to be Fabio Capello's first choice.

Zola said: "I think he is good enough to start for England.

"It's about what Capello thinks but he has been in very good form.

Improved

"He didn't start the season very well but the last few months he has been very good. In my opinion, he has improved because he has learnt from his mistakes.

"I have seen him playing and training and I see him improving. His attitude towards his work is excellent and I'm sure the England staff have seen that too.

"He has always had talent but when things weren't going his way he worked harder to get into the national team and be the number one.

"I thought his body language the other day was excellent. His presence was good.

"It is in his hands and I am sure he is focused and determined to keep the position he has now."