England discards may reap benefits
Tony Adams has told England discards David James and Sol Campbell their absence from the international set-up may be a blessing in disguise.
Goalkeeper James and his Portsmouth team-mate Campbell have yet to make one of new England coach Steve McClaren’s squads and, with Paul Robinson performing well in the number-one shirt and a crop of talented centre-backs available, their chances of returning are not obvious.
Neither James, 36, nor 32-year-old Campbell has given up hope of adding to a combined total of 103 caps, despite missing out once again when McClaren named his squad for the forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers against Macedonia and Croatia.
Adams, who finally hung up his boots in 2002 after guiding Arsenal to another double and is now assistant boss at Portsmouth, said: “I’m pleased David and Sol haven’t been called up, for Portsmouth reasons.
“I also think it will help the longevity of their careers. I retired from internationals in 2000 and I got two extra years out of myself, two good years at a high level.
“Now it’s international week and because they aren’t in the international set-up they can have a rest.
"It gives some of the younger guys a chance to make the step up.”
