| Young still aiming to shine for England The Aston Villa forward believes it is still not too late for him to succeed at international levelAshley Young sits hunched over, arms crossed, defensive, reluctantly answering questions about a stunted England career. At the age of 25, Young has played only 256 minutes of senior international football, stretched over a period of three years. For a bright young thing once tipped to set the world on fire, it does not seem enough."Of course I have aspirations and ambitions to play for my country," says the winger for whom Aston Villa paid £9.65m in January 2007. "Fingers crossed, I can get myself into the team, but I am delighted to be in the squad and if the chance comes [to play] I am going to grab it with two hands."He will need to. After coming on as a half-time substitute in the friendly against Hungary at Wembley two months ago, Fabio Capello praised Young's contribution; but since then he has appeared for only three minutes in an England shirt, against Bulgaria.How much would it mean to him to play in a Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro tomorrow night? The words inscribed on his inner forearms, in fine curlicue, reveal more than he is prepared to say out loud. "What is not worth fighting for is not worth having", reads one, and along the other arm, "What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger". So how much did it "kill" him to miss out on being included in the World Cup squad?"It was a disappointment, but you have to put it to the back of your mind and have the strength of character to say it is a disappointment and build on that." Has he done himself justice in an England shirt? "I think I have done. I would have liked to have added a few more caps. Hopefully, fingers crossed, I can do that."There are some important qualifiers coming up and I want to be involved in them. I have to focus on my training and see what happens on Tuesday."Some have wondered if a change of position might be the answer. His club manager Gérard Houllier described Young as potential "world-class" material after he began playing through the middle, off the striker, at Aston Villa."I have been delighted to be able to play there and feel I have been more involved for Villa and it has helped us," says Young, while in the same breath refusing to pigeon hole himself. "I see myself as a versatile player, whether a manager tells me to play through the middle, right or left of even up front, I definitely know I can go out there and do a job."The "world-class" part of Houllier's comment, he ignores. Young has had several years of being showered with praise – he says he learned to take the former Villa manager Martin O'Neill's frequent outpourings with a "pinch of salt", perhaps a sensible option for a player who never quite seemed to reach his potential. Now, could a fully fledged international career be passing him by?"I think age is just a number – if you are young enough, you are old enough – as long as you are good enough age shouldn't come into it. Not everyone in the squad is the same age," he says, perhaps thinking of Kevin Davies, who has just received his first England call-up at the age of 33. "It just shows that if you are playing well the manager is going to play you."Young's international career is balanced on a knife edge, it is make or break time. Is he ever affected by nerves? "Never," says Young, with a steely glare. When was the last time he was nervous? He chuckles."When I made my debut [for Watford, against Millwall, in 2003], that's the only time … Kevin Muscat's first words to me [during the warm up] were: 'Don't go past me or I will break your legs.' But the nerves just left me and I concentrated on playing well. I did go past him and I scored as well."With brutal tackles the topic de jour in football these days, Young is soon pressed on how much aggression he has had to endure in his career. "I am one of those players who has many scars up and down my legs from being kicked, but I know I have a job to do and beating my opponent is my goal. I wouldn't say I get the scars every week, but you do get fouled as a winger … you have to concentrate on brushing it off and going again."Brushing it off and going again, that has become Young's blueprint for a senior England career. He will just have to hope it is enough.EnglandAnna Kesselguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Liverpool takeover: NESV threaten to walk away from purchase if club are docked points New England Sports Ventures is threatening to walk away from £300m club purchase if the club go into administration. telegraph.co.uk |
Wayne Rooney's form is all that matters, says Fabio Capello • England coach refuses to comment on Rooney's contract• Confirms he will use youngsters in next two friendliesWayne Rooney's form – not his contract – is all that matters for Fabio Capello, the England manager said today."If he's [in form] I'll play him, otherwise no. For anything else, you've got to ask [Manchester United manager Sir Alex] Ferguson," Capello told the Italian state radio, RAI, when asked about Rooney's new five-year deal at Old Trafford.Capello said he is casting his eye over developing English talents: "We have good young players, a good Under-21 squad that has qualified for the European Championship and a great Under-19 side. There are going to be some experiments with players in the next two friendlies."England play France next month and have another friendly in February before resuming their attempt to qualify for Euro 2012.The 64-year-old Italian confirmed his plans once his European Championship commitments have ended. "After the Euros I'm definitely going to retire," Capello said.EnglandFabio CapelloWayne Rooneyguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Ivanschitz goal lifts Mainz to Bundesliga lead Substitute Andreas Ivanschitz scored two minutes after coming off the bench to give Mainz a 1-0 victory at Bayer Leverkusen and return his team ... rssfeeds.usatoday.com |
World Cup Bidders Work on Despite Corruption Probe Three countries competing in the scandal-hit 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosting contests tried to keep campaigning as usual on Tuesday, as FIFA president Sepp Blatter called for advice and tougher scrutiny to help deal with corruption. feeds.nytimes.com |