Zola: Green should be England's number one in World Cup (From Echo)

Zola: Green should be England's number one in World Cup

11:03am Saturday 6th March 2010 in

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WEST Ham boss Gianfranco Zola believes Robert Green should be England's first-choice goalkeeper at the World Cup finals in South Africa.

Green was handed a start by England manager Fabio Capello for Wednesday's 3-1 victory over Egypt at Wembley and appears to be at the top of the goalkeeping pecking order ahead of this summer's showpiece.

The former Norwich custodian did not start the season particularly well but has grown in stature and has arguably been the Hammers' most impressive performer as they plot their way clear of the Barclays Premier League relegation zone.

Zola reckons Green's recent improvement is such that he should retain the number one jersey for the World Cup, ahead of the likes of Portsmouth's David James and Birmingham's Joe Hart.

"I think he is good enough to start for England," Zola said.

"It's about what Capello thinks but he has been in very good form.

"He didn't start the season very well but the last few months he has been very good. In my opinion, he has improved because he has learnt from his mistakes.

"I have seen him playing and training and I see him improving. His attitude towards his work is excellent and I'm sure the England staff have seen that too.

"He has always had talent but when things weren't going his way he worked harder to get into the national team and be the number one.

"I thought his body language the other day was excellent. His presence was good It is in his hands and I am sure he is focused and determined to keep the position he has now."

Green and fellow England international Matthew Upson have been rocks at the back for the Hammers in recent weeks.

The Londoners' defence, which was their weak point early on this season, has improved immeasurably and they will aim for a fifth successive home clean sheet in the league when they host Bolton today.

West Ham are lying in 13th place heading into the match, only three points above the drop zone, and will meet a Bolton side who are just as desperate for maximum points as the relegation scrap hots up.

"I think three points are important because not only are you getting three points for yourself, but you are also denying the opposition, who are more or less in the same position as us, three points," Zola said.

"For that reason, it's a massive, massive game.

"For me, on paper Bolton's not an easy game because they always have done very well against us. But today is another story.

"They are trying to play differently (under new boss Owen Coyle) and we will see what happens. I am determined to break that bad tradition we have against them."

The Hammers lost 3-1 at Bolton in the league in December and were also dumped out of the Carling Cup by Wanderers this season.

But a run of just one defeat in their last seven matches - that reverse coming against champions Manchester United last time out - has breathed new life into Zola's squad and they have a small points buffer heading into the run-in.

Portsmouth seem certainties to go down and West Ham's squad looks stronger, on paper, than many of their rivals but Zola said: "It's never nice to look at others.

"It's important we focus on ourselves and make sure we get the points we need. I always like to think this way.

"I can only be worried about what I can determine. For me, I always like to think I can somehow handle my own destiny."