Alan Smith told Sky Sports News he would pick Bobby Zamora to face Spain in Saturday's friendly.
Zamora would be in my XI to face World Champions, says Alan
Former England striker Alan Smith is backing Bobby Zamora to step in and fill Wayne Rooney's boots in Saturday's friendly against Spain at Wembley.
Smith believes the Fulham striker, who made his international debut against Switzerland in June, deserves a shot at the World Champions this weekend after scoring three goals in eight Premier League games for Martin Jol's side.
Aston Villa duo Gabriel Agbonlahor and Darren Bent (five apiece), Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge (four) and Manchester United's Daniel Welbeck - all included in Fabio Capello's latest squad - have matched or bettered Zamora's league return this season.
But Smith told
Sky Sports News HD that of the quintet, he'd select Zamora first and foremost to stand in for Rooney, who has not been selected in this squad after incurring a ban that rules him out of the entire group stage at Euro 2012.
"I saw him [Zamora] play against Tottenham at the weekend, when he really gave a hard time to Ledley King and Younes Kaboul - two good centre-halves," said Smith.
"I like his movement; I think that has got better as he's aged. He's a powerful boy and his hold-up play is very good. Remember Emile Heskey played and how he linked with Rooney - the two went together well.
"I know Fabio Capello likes a centre-forward who can work those channels and push defenders back and Zamora can do that. I think he would be worth a shout on Saturday, I really do.
"Danny Welbeck is another option but if I was pushed I'd probably go for Zamora if you're going for that 4-3-3 which Capello quite often does; you've got to play three in the middle of the park against the best team in the world."
Create
That's not to say that Smith, who won 13 caps for England, is not impressed with the progress that Agbonlahor has made this season and would not rule either him or Bent out of Saturday's starting line-up.
"Agbonlahor, in particular, has made great strides," he said. "Quite often he's played out on the left so he's had to learn a little bit, adjust his game and he's done really well.
"He has shown ability to beat a man and create chances, quite often for Darren Bent, so I think Agbonlahor would certainly be worth a shout on Saturday.
"Darren Bent has had a number of chances and I think he has got better and better in an England shirt; he's got four goals now, he's led the line well.
"What he does, Darren, is play on the last line and he pushes defenders back and Wayne Rooney is in the team that has created room for Rooney. You know what you get with Darren Bent - he's always looking to get in behind and he's a fantastic finisher."
Occasion
FIFA remain adamant that England players should not sport poppies on their shirts during Saturday's friendly and Smith doesn't expect the England players to defy the rules laid down by the world's governing body.
"I don't think we should be at all surprised by what that organisation does - they continue to disappoint really.
"I think we are going to recognise the occasion [Remembrance Day] in a good way in terms of before the kick-off with a poppy on the pitch and the teams meeting members of the Armed Forces, which is nice. It makes a change from faceless figures that nobody recognises.
"I know the lads are going to have the poppies on their tracksuit tops. I'm sure the management have explained the situation; the lads will have seen it in the newspapers as well, the fact that FIFA have laid down the law, and they'll just get on with it.
"It's not something that they would really push for but it does mean a lot to footballers; I know that when they meet members of the Armed Forces they are always very humble and in awe almost of what these boys are doing for the country - going abroad and putting their lives on the line every day of the week.
"I think we all feel that way but when they are in the line-up and shaking hands with some of these boys that will be great but once the ref blows the whistle they will have other things on their minds."
