Martinez Believes Kirkland Can Still Be The No.1

From Vital England:

The guy is not even in the squad, from the looks of it not even on Fabio Capello's radar, yet Wigan manager Roberto Martinez feels that his keeper Chris Kirkland should go to the world cup finals.

Martinez has told sky sports that he feels that Kirkland should not only be in the squad but should be the no.1 as he is the best keeper in England - so if he performs to his best this season he will go to South Africa, and go as the no.1: 'my belief is if Chris performs at his best, he'll go to the World Cup as England's No 1 goalkeeper. Fabio Capello picks players in form and at the moment the goalkeeping spot is wide open.

'So Chris has a fantastic challenge on his hands. To go to the World Cup you have to be at the top of your form. I won't call Fabio. That's not down to me. If he asks me my opinion then I will give it honestly and in every single detail.

'Chris's performances will force the issue, not me.'

The goalkeeping positions seem to be the area that is of most concern for Capello - he cannot seem to find a settled 3 keepers that he wants, and even the no.1 position is something of a concern, although I still feel that if he can stay fit and focused then Pompey's David James, for his seniority and experience, would be the one he plans to have as his first choice.

Paul Robinson, Rob Green and Ben Foster seem to be the ones jostling most strongly for the other couple of places but Joe Hart is also in the running, and if Martinez is to be believed then Kirkland could yet pip the lot to not only jump into the squad, but jump in as the main man. Some 'reports' also say that Capello is still looking at Scott Carson?

Kirkland's biggest problem over the years has been staying fit, although Martinez has said that his training schedule has been altered, and this is cutting down the injuries picked up.

Full article: England - Martinez believes Kirkland is the no.1.