Veteran England goalkeeper David James happy to be backup at World Cup
David James(credit:
Wikipedia)
England goalkeeper David James insists he would be happy to play a backup role at what is likely to be his final World Cup.
Portsmouth veteran James has been handed the number one jersey by England coach Fabio Capello, but is taking nothing for granted following fine displays by Joe Hart and Robert Green in recent friendlies.
And the 39-year-old maintains he would not be bitter if he is forced to look on from the bench while in South Africa.
James told The Guardian: “There have been times in the past, in earlier years, when you would just hate the person in front of you.
“You’d sit on the bench saying, ‘Go on, let one in. Go on, through your legs’ and all that stuff, and wish them all the worst things in the world.
“But in the end, you just think: ‘Why would you want them doing that to you?’
“I don’t want to look at this World Cup as a personal mission. I look at it as a team mission.
“Yes, you want to be number one, you want to play every game and lift the World Cup, but if that doesn’t happen it will be a case of: ‘If I’m there, my contribution will have aided whatever success we have.’
“Within training, you are preparing yourself each time to play and with Fabio’s selection process, until the team is announced, you are never actually sure, which is good.”
James is 4/11 favourite with Bet365 to be in goal against the United States, while Green is 5/2 and Hart 10/1.