Football: Platt sets the right example

HOWARD WILKINSON has called for more ex-England players to be involved in coaching the country's youth sides.

Wilkinson, the Football Association technical director, made his plea after watching David Platt put the England Under-18s through their paces in preparation for tomorrow's friendly against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.

He said: "If you look at the last 20 years there have been a lot of internationals who have left the game when they could be using their experience to help out.

"I'm not saying there should be one big, jolly family here but there are a lot of people that could help out at different levels and offer their experience.

"They could then take that experience and use it maybe in club football, and that would help the English game.

"I haven't got anything against Arsene Wenger and Ruud Gullit, but I would rather see David Platt at Newcastle and Alan Shearer at Chelsea coaching English sides."

Tomorrow's encounter sees Wilkinson's side take on the European Under- 18 champions on their own turf.