James Milner backed by Villa legend
Tuesday 22nd June 2010, 10:57AM BST.
Former Villa and England winger Tony Morley has urged national boss Fabio Capello not to write off James Milner from his World Cup thinking.
Milner failed to feature in Friday’s disappointing stalemate against Algeria, after being replaced just 30 minutes into England’s Group C opener against the United States.
But, after missing three days of training in the build-up to the game and being played out of his preferred right wing or central role, Morley reckons the £30million-rated Manchester City target can count himself unfortunate.
The 1982 European Cup winner, who earned six international caps during the 1980′s, hopes Milner will get another opportunity as England prepare for their must-win showdown against Slovenia tomorrow afternoon.
He said: “I feel for James because he’s been playing out of position. The left wing has been a problem position for England for a long time.
“There’s no doubt he’s a brilliant player but to see that you need to play him where he’s used to playing, which is either in the middle or on the right.
“Hopefully he will get another chance, but if we’re going to see the best of him you have to play him in his position.”
Morley also believes that Manchester United’s star striker Wayne Rooney remains the key to England’s chances in South Africa and remains confident they can qualify.
He said: “Wayne is our one world class player but we have a lot of good players. He has to get going but it’s still early days.
“What you have to realise is in five games we could be world champions!”
UK Sport
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