Agbonlahor can 'do a job for England', says Young

Gordon Tynan
Tuesday 18 November 2008 01:00 GMT
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Ashley Young is backing his Aston Villa team-mate Gabriel Agbonlahor to "make a big impact" if he finally makes his England debut in tomorrow's friendly international with Germany in Berlin. Young, who is also in the squad, has already made two substitute appearances for his country but Agbonlahor is still waiting to make the breakthrough.

The Academy product was included in the first squad of the Capello era against Switzerland at Wembley but was forced to withdraw because of a hamstring injury. Then Agbonlahor was named in the party for the end-of-season games with the United States and Trinidad & Tobago but did not taste any action. He was due to fly out as a late call-up for last month's World Cup qualifier in Belarus but picked up a hamstring injury the night before when in action for England Under-21 against Wales at Villa Park.

Now Agbonlahor is finally set to win his first cap against the Germans after another impressive display against Arsenal in which he scored the second goal in a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium at the weekend. Young said: "I think Gabby will adapt really well to the England set-up. He was in the squad in the summer and didn't look out of place at all during training. He is a massive player for Aston Villa. He has been vital since the time I came here nearly two years ago. He has got goals and other aspects of his game are good as well. He can definitely do a job for England."

*The Everton striker James Vaughan has been called into the England Under-21 squad to face the Czech Republic tonight after Blackburn's Matt Derbyshire pulled out with a groin injury. Vaughan, 20, will be joined in the squad by Frank Fielding, the Blackburn goalkeeper who is on loan at Northampton.

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