Cape Town - England coach Fabio Capello is likely to drop Robert Green and play the experienced David James in Friday's World Cup match against Algeria in Cape Town, according to BBC Sport.?

Green's error gifted the United States a 1-1 draw in the group opener in Rustenburg, and the West Ham keeper was unconvincing in a final training session at the Green Point Stadium on Thursday.

"Green was unimpressive in training in Cape Town on Thursday night," said BBC Sport's Phil McNulty. "He fumbled a couple of pretty routine shots from England goalkeeping coach Ray Clemence, which did not inspire confidence.

 

Would Robert Green have been better served by knowing well in advance he would be playing in Rustenburg?

"England coach Fabio Capello had made it clear he was watching Green closely for any vital signs that his confidence had been dented by the mistake against the United States - and it may just be that the goalkeeper's jittery display has convinced him of the need for change."

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar believes Capello would be right to make a change.

"Even before the game against the United States, I felt there was only one keeper who Capello could play - and that was David James because he is so experienced and is used to playing at the highest level," Grobbelaar told BBC Sport.

"There can be no excuses for the mistake Green made. It was nothing to do with the ball - it didn't move through the air.

"The fact is that Fabio Capello should not have put Robert Green in goal. He has never played in a match of such magnitude and neither has Joe Hart. They should just be there as back-up keepers; David James should be in the England goal.

"Capello has got two choices but nobody knows what those choices are going to be because he is Capello. In my opinion, I would start with James because if he stays loyal and gives Green another chance just to keep his confidence up, then what happens if he makes another mistake and England go out?

"He should play David James, put Green on the bench and if James was to get injured then he could bring Green back in."

Grobbelaar made 33 international appearances for Rhodesia and Zimbabwe and more than 400 for Liverpool.

The 52-year-old, working for a South African broadcaster at the World Cup, believes West Ham keeper Green needs to show great determination to bounce back after his costly error.

"I made many mistakes in my career, including a few soft goals like the one conceded by Green. What you have to do is just get over it - and the sooner the better. Some keepers never recover from mistakes like that but you have to get yourself together and come back as a better player."

Despite their stuttering start to the tournament, Grobbelaar still fancies England to go from strength-to-strength at the World Cup.

"Capello has got the squad that can go all the way to the final, he really has. He's got a team with a lot of passion and what they have to do is to stick together and make sure they do themselves justice," he added.

Gareth Barry has already been confirmed as a starter against Algeria with Capello yet to reveal who will play in goal or whether Emile Heskey or Jermain Defoe will partner Wayne Rooney in attack.?

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