Vassell tipped to be a World Cup surprise
Rio Ferdinand is tipping Darius Vassell to be "a surprise package of the World Cup" as the Aston Villa striker gears up for his first major tournament.
Vassell was a virtual unknown at the start of this season but is now challenging strongly for a place in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s starting line-up - especially if injuries mean Emile Heskey is played in a wide left position.
His goal against Holland on his debut in February shot him to prominence and it was followed by another against Paraguay and a string of impressive performances to seal his place in the final 23.
Vassell was also England’s liveliest forward in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with South Korea and he will get another opportunity in tomorrow’s final warm-up international with the Cameroon in Kobe.
His pace makes him an ideal member of the squad should Michael Owen - one of his heroes - break down, although the two have played together for England.
Ferdinand said: ‘‘He’s looking sharp. Every time that he has played for England, he has done well and seems to be getting better and better.
‘‘He’s going to be a surprise package at the World Cup. If he gets the opportunity to come on, people aren’t going to know how quick he is.
‘‘Once he opens up on people, they are going to have the shock of their lives. He is sure to be someone that the manager is thinking of putting on and giving a few people a wake-up call in games.’’
Ferdinand admitted: ‘‘Darius is shy and doesn’t talk much but he is new to the squad and most people are like that at first.
‘‘He watches the videos with the boys and gets involved and has a laugh on the coach. He’s a nice lad.
‘‘But Darius puts himself about on the pitch and is a different personality there. It seems not to faze him at all.
‘‘He just goes out there and plays. Him and Michael are both sharp. Darius looks for the ball a lot more in behind. He loves it played into the channels and to get onto the ball and run past people.
‘‘Michael is more of a penalty box player. You get the ball in there and he just finishes it off. But the pair of them have similarities as well.’’
Meanwhile, Ferdinand is delighted to welcome back his former West Ham team-mate Trevor Sinclair into the squad as a replacement for the injured Danny Murphy, who was flying home today after fracturing a bone in his left foot.
Ferdinand said: ‘‘Trevor is a quality player but is also the type of person who would not want to see anyone miss out through injury.
‘‘I think the position he was put in, with the option of going back home to stay on stand-by, is one anyone would have taken judging from talking to the boys. Now we’re glad to see him back.’’
