Tony: Joe To Sit It Out

  • 60/1 if Sinclair scores in a 1-0 England win -
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Tony Gale does not anticipate Joe Cole getting a run out against the Danes on Saturday - but is convinced that the experience of being at the World Cup is doing him a lot of good.

"If you look at the situation now," says Tony, "Trevor Sinclair's name is written in stone for that left hand side.

"And, if Trevor or David Beckham were to come off, I think Kieron Dyer would get the nod.

"But you never know what will happen if there is an injury, and, like a good cricketer on tour, he has got to be ready and upbeat.

"It is rubbish for people to suggest that he would have been better off having gone with the U21s; this tournament is standing him in good stead as it did when Rio had the experience four years ago.

"He will be ready for the next World Cup, no doubt about that."

Now that the group phase is complete, Tony says the competition is wide open.

"The two co-hosts have got through and it has been brilliant so far," he says.

"We have got as good a chance as anyone and I just hope we don't let anyone down.

"We were the favourites against Nigeria and Sweden and didn't do so well, and played better as the underdogs against Argentina.

"But we have got more in the locker and there is better to come from England, I think."

Tony believes that since the emergence of Trevor Sinclair in the competition, his defensive abilities have not been noticed by some onlookers.

He says:

"He will have a big defensive duty against Denmark, as they have the two wingers who interchange and that is where they are dangerous.

"Trevor can defend, but he will be needing the help of his full back, Ashley Cole - we don't want any one on ones."

Meanwhile, congratulations go to Simon Webster, who is getting married today.