"ANDY AND MICAH WILL STEP UP"

EVERTON'S Andy Johnson and Manchester City defender Micah Richards are the main players set to profit from England's worst competitive defeat in 13 years.

While Steve McClaren has threatened to make widespread changes following the debacle in Croatia, the threat is merely a wake-up call to his underachieving players.

McClaren will refrain from making sweeping changes fearful of a backlash and undermining team spirit ahead of the upcoming friendly with Holland. But Johnson, prolific in the opening weeks of the season for Everton, will start - in place of Liverpool's Peter Crouch.

McClaren doesn't feel Johnson is knocking at the door for inclusion, he feels the pint-sized assassin is threatening to kick it down. The coach said: "Andy Johnson is the one who's really coming through. He's proving to be a terrific signing for Everton. I've seen him two or three times and he has really impressed me.

"His work ethic, the way he works for the team, he's really knocking on the door to get in the England team."

Man City star Richards' versatility will see his immediate promotion to the senior squad in the wake of last Wednesday's embarrassing defeat in Zagreb and will almost certainly close the door on another Liverpool star, Jamie Carragher.

McClaren had refrained from calling up Richards to ensure the Under-21's reached the European Championship finals. Their 2-0 win against Germany not only ensured their safe passage to the finals but Richards' promotion to the senior squad.
 

Feliz Año Neuvo

We're on a mission from God

Not really what we want though is it???

We're on a mission from God

Not really

Feliz Año Neuvo