Zamora calm over England chances

Andy Sims,Pa
Friday 26 February 2010 18:44 GMT
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Zamora has been on fire this season
Zamora has been on fire this season (GETTY IMAGES)

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Bobby Zamora is not losing any sleep over his chances of an England call-up despite the growing clamour for Fabio Capello to take a look at the Fulham forward.

Capello is set to name his squad for Wednesday's friendly against Egypt and has the opportunity to pair the country's two in-form strikers, Zamora and Wayne Rooney, in attack.

The 29-year-old had hit four goals in his last four games prior to last night's Europa League success at Shakhtar Donetsk.

And in Ukraine Zamora, operating on his own in attack, put in a storming shift in the target-man role currently occupied by Emile Heskey in the national team.

But, when asked about his England prospects, Zamora said: "It would be nice but I'm not looking to that at all.

"It's going really well for me but that's purely down to the team who are creating chances for me.

"It's nothing to do with the way I've played this season, it's just that now the ball's going into the back of the net."

Zamora, who came off nursing a slight Achilles problem, won the free-kick which led to Fulham's decisive goal in the 1-1 draw at Shakhtar's Donbass Arena.

Damien Duff floated in the cross and Brede Hangeland nodded home as the Londoners secured a 3-2 aggregate win and a last-16 tie against Juventus.

Republic of Ireland winger Duff was happy to talk up Zamora's England chances.

"He has helped me this year, it's been a pleasure playing with him," said Duff.

"I've got an understanding with him and, for me, he's one of the best I've played with, so why not?

"Collectively we've done well over the past two years so it's great when the lads get a bit of recognition.

"When he's on the pitch things can happen, so why not give him a go?"

Duff's sentiments were echoed by Norwegian defender Hangeland, who said: "I watch him more than any other English player, he's a great player

"I have to play against him in training so when I walk out I am happy he's in my team and not the opposition.

"He's done really well for us this season, whether that is good enough for England is for other people to decide but I will say he's a great player."

The one blot on Fulham's big night was a stoppage-time red card shown to captain Danny Murphy for kicking out opposite number Darijo Srna, which will see him miss the next match against Juve.

"It was stupid on my part," he admitted. "I've only myself to blame.

"But I don't want that to take away from the lads' achievement."

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