Dj Is Sound

David James has consolidated his place in the England squad after international week, reckons Trevor Brooking - who also hopes Joe Cole will not get too frustrated at Stamford Bridge following his summer move.

Trevor says that David was not to blame for the goal Macedonia scored last week, and insists:

"It was bit unlucky with a combination of different errors; Ashley Cole tried to play a one-two, lost it and the ball was knocked back down that side while Gary Neville in the right back spot played everyone on when everyone else had moved up - then the cross came in, Sol misjudged it and went to head it when it was there for his feet.

"It went past him, we didn't quite close them down, the shot was blocked by John Terry and sat up nicely in the end for Hristov.

"David spread himself quite well and when it hit his legs, from the stands it looked as if it might have gone outside but it hit the side netting on the inside.

"It was a soft goal all round and by the stage of it being one on one all the keeper can do is try and spread himself.

"But by trying to use his legs to block it as it was going across the goal it just hooked it towards the near post - so I think David was a bit unlucky."

As for that chat with Joe, he adds:

"I saw little Joe before the games and he was fine and in good spirits; I thought he might have got on against Macedonia when they were struggling and I am sure if Emile Heskey hadn't done okay he would have been the next option because at least he might have taken people on.

"But they did well in that second half spell when they went from 1-0 down to 2-1 up so it was a good result without being the best performance.

"He said the lads had a couple of good wins and aren't far away from the top; he was obviously quizzing me about the current situation and I was joking to him about how many games he is going to get in this Chelsea side.

"Joe is waiting for his chances and I am sure he feels once he gets a couple of starts can consolidate a place.

"He was talking about the training there where they end up almost having 12 a side whereas normally you would have a squad of 14 or 16 there.

"You can't really break the news to too many to play with the youngsters so they end up playing 12 a side.

"He will get very frustrated in the next few weeks if he doesn't get regular football because that is what he loves doing so it is a dilemma for Claudio Ranieri to try and deal with, and not just for Joe.

"It is great to spend that money but I am sure he knows it is a difficult balance to keep the dressing room atmosphere in other sections of the squad okay."

Perhaps Trevor could borrow Joe back from Chelsea?

"That would be a good one!" he smiles.

Another Chelsea ex-Hammer, Frank Lampard, came off at half time against Macedonia, and Trevor adds:

"Frank was a little bit unlucky; it is still the situation of the shape of that midfield and certainly in the first half it didn't quite work even though he was a lot more central which he prefers.

"It was a game where they couldn't seem to get hold of the ball and play."