ROY BACKS ENGLAND CALL
CRYSTAL PALACE defender James Tomkins has been told he can put himself in the England frame – by shutting out Harry Kane today. The centre-back goes head to head with the country’s most feared striker at Selhurst Park with the praise of boss Roy Hodgson ringing in his ears. The former England manager knows a thing or two about what makes an international player and has no doubt the 28-year-old is good enough. “He’s been outstanding for us,” he said. “When I came to the club there was a dilemma because there was Scott Dann, Mamadou Sakho and James Tomkins. “It took some time for me to know which should be playing. But from the first moment I could see the quality James had. “And from the moment we put him in the team and made it clear he would be playing he has done extremely well.” Hodgson has no doubts his star defender could play international football. But he stops shy of telling national boss Gareth Southgate it’s time to pick him. “I don’t like to get involved because when I was with England it used to irritate me when managers – every time their player played well – would say he should be in the England team.
“The thing about the England job is you are looking at them all. Here I’m looking at Tomkins, Tomkins, Tomkins.
“But there’s no doubt he’s a good player and I’ve certainly used players in England squads that I don’t think, frankly, are as good as James Tomkins.
“That suggests he could have played in some of my England teams. Whether he would get in now depends on Gareth. But he’s a good footballer.”
Considering the current poor form of Chelsea’s Gary Cahill, who is struggling to get into Antonio Conte’s side, there is certainly a big opportunity for Tomkins with England if he continues to impress. And coming up against Premier League top scorer Kane is the perfect test as Palace hunt for points to ease relegation fears.
“It wouldn’t do him any harm if he kept Harry quiet,” said Hodgson. “But he’ll need some help from his partner.”
Palace go into today’s game with 12 players out injured, including star man Wilfried Zaha – so need their own centre-forward to hit form.
Christian Benteke has managed only two goals all season. But Hodgson baulks at the idea that the former Liverpool man could learn a thing or two from Kane, with 38 goals for club and country this term.
“I don’t think it’s fair to suggest someone like Benteke who scored so many goals for Aston Villa, and a lot of goals for Crystal Palace last year between January and May to keep us up, can learn lessons.
“The problem is you need to keep banging the goals in or people ask the question.”