Football: Le Tissier has goals to achieve under Hoddle

Footballers usually get picked for England because they are playing well. Glenn Hoddle agreed after his first day of training at Bisham Abbey yesterday that was why Andy Hinchcliffe and Mark Draper had been summoned to bolster his injury-hit squad. "The timing was right," said the new coach.

Then in walks Matt Le Tissier to admit bluntly: "I thought I would have to play better than I am to get back." His selection for the squad to travel to Moldova at the weekend is a triumph of faith over form. Le Tissier is an outstanding player playing badly. The problem is, he is well aware of this and it is not helping him play any better. Hoddle's task this week is to restore Le Tissier's self-belief.

"I suppose I am not the first person to be called up when not at the top of his form," Le Tissier said. "A different manager might not have picked me. Now it is up to me to prove myself. I hope I take my chance better this time. It is 18 months since I was last involved and it feels like a long time.

"I am not low on confidence but it is not as high as it was two years ago. Players like me thrive on scoring goals and creating chances, and it does not feel good knowing I only scraped into double figures last season.

"I have got frustrated with myself. It is difficult because we [Southampton] have not been getting much possession so, when I get the ball, I try to do something different all the time, try to create something, because I don't know when I'll get it back."

It was put to Le Tissier that it might have been different had his audacious first-minute chip against Chelsea in Southampton's opening game gone in instead of hitting the bar. "I've thought that to myself quite a few times," he said, before adding: "It would have helped if that hadn't been the only contribution I made in the game." Le Tissier was then asked if he was aware of how big the debate is about him playing for England. "Yes, and it is a pain in the arse."

Hoddle's appointment has reopened a debate that appeared to have been won by Terry Venables. Venables had been criticised for dropping Le Tissier after the abortive match in Dublin but, as Le Tissier's form dipped and England's fortunes rose, the critics fell silent. "I never had a cross word with Terry," Le Tissier said. "I read this weekend that he said I was not suited to his style of play; if that's the case that is up to him. I always believed if I began playing better I would get another chance but I did not deserve to be picked on my form last season.

"I watched the European Championship. I'd been able to prepare myself. I knew I was not going to be involved from a long way out - it was not as if I had been to Hong Kong and then been left out. I was off the edge of my seat when England scored, like any Englishman should have been."

Hoddle's biggest problem may be where to play Le Tissier. Even the player himself is not sure. "I can score goals, but I can create goals, too. It would be easier if I was only very good at one of them. A lot of international teams now play with one forward up and one playing slightly behind, and most of my managers have tended to play me in that deeper position. But there are a lot of players here who come into that category."

The main two are Teddy Sheringham and Nick Barmby, and both have started the season in form and neither are injured - which is more than can be said for several of Hoddle's squad. There are six doubtfuls to add to Darren Anderton, who pulled out last week. David Batty (ankle), Les Ferdinand (toe infection) and Paul Gascoigne (Achilles) are expected to be fit enough to travel but Steve Howey, Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler will probably go back to their clubs.

The first four had a light warm-up yesterday while the latter two were not due until last night. They would need treatment during their time with England but it was worth it because it would otherwise be another five weeks before he involved them, Hoddle said. With that in mind, Graeme Le Saux has also joined the squad. Though far from being fit, Hoddle felt it would "give him a lift" to be included.

Hoddle was also unrepentant about picking David Beckham - it has been suggested that Manchester United would rather his call-up had been delayed. "I've spoken to Alex Ferguson and his main concern is whether Beckham is ready to deal with things off the pitch," Hoddle said. "I agree with that up to a point but if you have talent you have to play with the best. A lot of players have been capped at 21 [including Hoddle]. Handling things off the pitch is part of being a footballer - by being here he can see how Alan Shearer handles the pressure. It can be a big plus."