WestHamFirm

Sam1 · Mon Jun 09, 2008 9:44 pm Capello backs Ashton

Suggestions that Dean Ashton might join the one-cap wonder brigade has been treated with short shrift by Fabio Capello, who has promised the West Ham striker a place in his squad for England’s next batch of fixtures.

Ashton’s protracted wait for an international debut finally came to an end in Trinidad and Toboago, even if the former Crewe man only lasted 45 minutes.

Large swathes of the media felt Ashton had struggled to justify the fervent calls for him to make his bow in the Caribbean.

However, with the likes of Emile Heskey and seldom starter Peter Crouch providing the competition in the big man up front stakes, Capello sees the situation differently.

"Yes, he will be with us for the next games as long as he is fit,” said the Italian in the Daily Telegraph.

“I don't understand the criticism of Ashton because the England shirt brings a lot of pressure. He is a good player."
If Capello keeps to his promise, Ashton could be in action in England's next game - a friendly against Czech Republic that is being shown exclusively live on Setanta Sports on August 20. Click here for details on how to subscribe to the Setanta package.

Capello is currently on scouting duty in Austria and Switzerland, having taken in Croatia’s fortune-laden win over Austria, and admitted the biggest threat to England’s forthcoming World Cup qualification campaign will be the team who put the final nail in their Euro 2008 coffin.

"We have to beat Croatia, they are a good team with good organisation and they are a strong group,” he added.

“In the last half-an-hour against Austria their spirit was very important. It will not be an easy game, but we have to win against Croatia."

Setanta Sports

Good news considering it was a less than entertaining debut.

Gioseppe · Mon Jun 09, 2008 10:16 pm

Of course he will play for England. He will shine soon.

sammerhammer · Mon Jun 09, 2008 11:10 pm

yes i had an excited burst for a second then

Peter Parka · Mon Jun 09, 2008 11:47 pm

It was his debut and to be fair, I think he did enough to justify his position. He will only show his true side for England after a couple of games to settle in.