Neville backs Baines England spot

(GSM) – Former England international Phil Nevill thinks Everton team-mate Leighton Baines can be the be the answer to England’s World Cup injury crisis.

With Ashley Cole currently injured and Wayne Bridge unavailable Baines is competing for the left-back spot with Aston Villa’s Stephen Warnock ahead of tomorrow’s friendly against Egypt.

The 25-year-old has yet to make his England debut but Neville thinks he’s ready to be part of England’s World Cup squad.

“Leighton is a very level-headed lad who keeps his feet on the ground,” Neville told the Liverpool Echo.There is always someone who comes up late on the rails and does well in a World Cup and what a fantastic end to the season it could be for Leighton.

“He has good experience at international level with the Under-21s and that will stand him in good stead for the game against Egypt.

“In the past he was probably just happy to be in the England squad but now there’s a quiet determination to go in there and cement his place in the team.

“He has a good chance of starting and hopefully staking a claim for the World Cup.

“He has all the attributes. He’s quick, technically good, gets crosses in, knows how to defend and he won’t let anyone down.”