Should Capello turn to Almunia, to solve our keeping woes?

Football FanCast columnist Rob Facey wonders whether Manuel Almunia is the man England should turn to next year.

Manuel Almunia has said it would be an honour to represent England at next year's World Cup in South Africa.

The Arsenal goalkeeper became eligible for a British passport today after five years of residence in the UK and, after ruling out a call-up to his native Spain squad, has stated his interest in representing the Three Lions.

"It is almost impossible for me to be called up by Spain," he said, as reported in The Sun.

"But it would be an honour if the England coach counted on me."

The Gunners stopper had been linked with a call-up to the squad in the past, along with Carlo Cudicini, but it would undoubtedly be a controversial decision.

The current options between the sticks is hardly inspiring with David James, Rob Green, Ben Foster, Scott Carson and Paul Robinson all fighting it out for the gloves. James arguably has the upper hand but he will be almost 40 by the time the squad board the plane next year, although it is worth pointing out that goalkeeping mishaps from some of the other contenders are the reason we had a football-free summer last year.

Almunia himself is 32 and it is assumed that he would only be brought in for a month's service at the World Cup – surely it would be detrimental to the development of the younger keepers in this country for Almunia to be drafted in as a long-term Number One?

That said, we need to take our best squad to South Africa – so does that include Almunia?

Is he the man to end the debate over who is the rightful owner of the England gloves?

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