Ashley Young Will Start vs Netherlands

August 11th, 2009 | by: Daryl | Comments Off

Steven Gerrard has pulled out of the England squad with a groin injury, so won’t be playing against the Netherlands tomorrow. Don’t be surprised if said groin strain has disappeared by Saturday.

Stevie G’s replacement is Ashley Young (who I’d forgotten wasn’t in the initial squad). Better than that, Young is going to get his first start against the Netherlands, likely in Gerrard’s position on the left (and sometimes switching with Wayne Rooney).

“It will be a good test for him,” Fabio Capello said of Young. “He has only played twice for me but the last time he did very well. I have watched him recently and he is in good form at the moment.”

Excellent. I know this has only happened because of Gerrard’s injury, but I love to see inexperienced England players getting to start alongside the rest of the senior team. A good showing could see Young cement his place as Gerrard’s understudy in that weird left mid/rotating with Roonaldo position.

Ben Foster has also pulled out, following a knee injury (and that shocker of a performance in the Community Shield) and has been replaced by Joe Hart (currently on loan at Birmingham City, btw).

But none of that really matters, because Robert Green looks almost certain to start.