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Portsmouth Boss Paul Hart Plays Down David James Injury
Pompey boss says goalkeeper not a World Cup doubt.
Nov 22, 2009 2:33:15 PM
Portsmouth manager Paul Hart maintains goalkeeper David James' fitness is not a cause for concern after the England international injured his calf during the warm-up and had to be replaced by Jamie Ashdown before his side's 1-0 loss to Stoke City on Sunday.
James recently admitted that he still suffers "irritation" in the right knee he had surgery on at the end of the 2008/09 campaign, but Hart declined to link that problem to the goalkeeper's pulled calf.
England coach Fabio Capello has repeatedly stated that he will not take any players carrying injuries to the 2010 World Cup next year, and recurring injuries could cost James, or any other player, his place in South Africa next summer.
"He pulled a calf muscle warming up," said Hart, as quoted by the Press Association.
"The World Cup is in June, a calf muscle is usually about three weeks. I think he will be fit for the World Cup.
"We are managing the situation [regarding James' knee] at the moment and up until now he has been out on the pitch.
"He has to do some gym work to help him through it but he has been there and it has not been a real problem."
James appeared to have sealed his position as Capello's first choice goalkeeper, but his absences this season have set up a three-way battle for the number one spot with Manchester United's Ben Foster and West Ham United's Robert Green.
Edward Pearce, Goal.com
Talk all things soccer with the rest of our readers in the Goal.com Forums!
James recently admitted that he still suffers "irritation" in the right knee he had surgery on at the end of the 2008/09 campaign, but Hart declined to link that problem to the goalkeeper's pulled calf.
England coach Fabio Capello has repeatedly stated that he will not take any players carrying injuries to the 2010 World Cup next year, and recurring injuries could cost James, or any other player, his place in South Africa next summer.
"He pulled a calf muscle warming up," said Hart, as quoted by the Press Association.
"The World Cup is in June, a calf muscle is usually about three weeks. I think he will be fit for the World Cup.
"We are managing the situation [regarding James' knee] at the moment and up until now he has been out on the pitch.
"He has to do some gym work to help him through it but he has been there and it has not been a real problem."
James appeared to have sealed his position as Capello's first choice goalkeeper, but his absences this season have set up a three-way battle for the number one spot with Manchester United's Ben Foster and West Ham United's Robert Green.
Edward Pearce, Goal.com
Talk all things soccer with the rest of our readers in the Goal.com Forums!
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