The England wait ends for Pompey

It had been hoped that England might come calling for at least one Pompey player for the friendly with Germany and Spineless Steve has - and not just for one but two Pompey players!

David James and Sol Campbell had been offered a glimmer of hope of ending their yearlong international exile but injury seemed to end Campbell's hopes, with yet another oversight for James feared.

However both James and Campbell have been recalled.

This makes them the first Pompey players called up for England in more than 20 years - since Mark Hateley in 1984.

Matty Taylor was seen as a good shout for a crack at the left hand side of England's midfield but the fact that he has not started a match this season, even though he came on to some success in front of Spineless Steve in midweek, did not help his chances, so his call will have to wait a while longer - hopefully this will come with him still a Pompey player?

Injury to Wayne Rooney and lack of fitness for Michael Owen, had led many to believe that David Nugent would be given another chance, however this has again not been the case and his chance - which will come I am sure - will have to wait also.

So there we have it, after 23 years of waiting for this England call up will have had not one, but two in one sitting - well done James and Campbell, fully deserved particularly James.

It is a shame that Taylor and/or Nugent could not have joined them, but we cannot be greedy. At least Pompey can benefit exclusively as a result - in both cases hopefully, although the 'Taylor to leave' talk is really picking up. We also do not need to fear others 'taping up' our younger players when on international duty - for a little while longer at least.

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