Rickie Lambert backed for England selection

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler has urged England boss Roy Hodgson to show the same faith in Rickie Lambert at the World Cup as the Reds have shown in signing him this summer.

England get their World Cup campaign underway against Italy on Saturday night, with Lambert expected to be on the bench.

The 32-year-old became Brendan Rodgers’ first signing of the summer when he completed a £4 million from Southampton earlier this month.

And after 13 goals in 2013/14 for the Saints, Fowler is backing him to produce the goods for England in Brazil.

“I would play Lambert, [Wayne] Rooney and Sturridge as a front three,” Fowler told radio station talkSPORT.

“I’m old school – I want to win games playing with excitement and getting people off their seats. I’d have Lambert as the focal point, and have Rooney and Sturridge playing off him as a three.

“Lambert gives you other options and I think that’s probably what England lacked in a few of the games where Lambert has not played. Everyone wants to drop off and get the ball, and there’s no-one behind the defenders.

“At least Rickie Lambert will stay up there, the ball will stick and it will give other players a chance to get forward.”

The World Cup kicks off on Thursday, 12th June with Brazil v Croatia at 9pm UK time and continues until the final on Sunday, 13th July.

The post season break is already providing an influx of Liverpool transfer news, with Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Emre Can becoming the second Reds signing of the summer.

Liverpool have also been heavily linked with a move for Sevilla left-back Alberto Moreno, though reports in Tuesday morning’s papers suggested the deal has stalled.

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