Anderton: I'll prove you wrong

DARREN Anderton has vowed to silence the critics who want him kicked out of the England team.

As the campaign to select Manchester United's David Beckham gathered momentum, Anderton insisted: "Proving the critics wrong will give me great satisfaction."

England coach Glenn Hoddle looks likely to stick with Anderton for tomorrow's game against Romania in Toulouse, saying: "If we had lost 2-0 against Tunisia and got it wrong, there would be some justification for changing the team. But we won 2-0, and we won well."

Anderton played just two full games for Spurs last season but Hoddle shocked the nation when he chose him ahead of Beckham, who was ever-present for England's eight World Cup qualifiers.

Anderton was slated by his critics in Marseille, who claimed he was not match fit.

Yet Anderton insists: "I certainly haven't felt in better shape mentally or physically for a long time.

"I was tired towards the end. But so were all the lads. It was a tough game."

"It was not about whether I would start instead of him,

it's a 22-man thing and we're all in it together. Everyone wants to play, you can understand that.

"But I'm just happy to be at the World Cup after the last two years I've had.

"Besides, David Beckham wished me all the best before the Tunisia game, so where's the friction?

"After what has happened to me I'm just happy to take one game at a time. I'm grateful to Glenn Hoddle for showing so much faith in my ability. All I want to do is earn the right to repay that."

Hoddle said: "There are 22 players available to me as coach. I'm quite staggered quite frankly that you are asking me about making changes.

"When was the last time David played wide on the right for us, leading into the World Cup? Portugal? That's right, so the last few times, he has played inside, hasn't he? There's your answer.

"All our players are raring to go, not only David but others who were left out.

"I've spoken to David. He wasn't in despair and his training has been fine since."

Hoddle has never been afraid to make surprising changes in his team. He added: "Some may say you don't change winning teams but I have changed them during the qualifying competition. Nothing is cast in stone for me.

"Games between Romania and ourselves have been extremely tight and I don't see this being any different."

Meanwhile central defender Gareth Southgate, who trained for the first time yesterday since damaging an ankle on Tuesday said: "I played in Georgia during qualifying when I probably shouldn't have done. I know how I felt mentally and I shouldn't have taken that chance but we won 2-0.

"I got away with it. I was just concerned more with getting through the game with an ankle injury and helping the team. We kept a clean sheet but I didn't play well.

"This is one of the most important decisions of my life and I'm going to have to be perfectly honest.

"I'm very optimistic but it wouldn't be fair on the team to jeopardise their chances if I wasn't 100 per cent ready."

If, as expected, Southgate fails to make it in time, Manchester United's Gary Neville is favourite to take his place.

DON'T SULK BECK - Page 69

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