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Jimmy Bullard |
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Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard may have to convince Fulham that he should have a contract extension, but Fabio Capello obviously needs no persuading.
The England manager caused a surprise when selecting Bullard, who wins his first international call-up at the age of 29. So the squad to face a familiar foe contains a very unfamiliar face.
Capello had said before announcing the squad that “no one is untouchable” in terms of guaranteeing places in the side.
While that was an indicator that he is not in thrall to reputation, status or experience, few predicted that he would touch the Fulham man.
Although admired as a committed and enthusiastic midfield player, Bullard has not been trailed as prospective England material since he suffered a serious injury almost two years ago.
Little more than five years ago, he was at Peterborough United, having failed to make the grade at West Ham United, whom he joined from Gravesend and Northfleet. But he blossomed after a £275,000 move to Wigan Athletic and proved that he could more than hold his own as a top-flight player. A lively character off the field, he moved to Craven Cottage in 2006, but damaged his cruciate ligament that September, which kept him out for 15 months.
Known for his long-range shooting, he scored an excellent goal against Leicester City in the Carling Cup last week, but Hodgson, the Fulham manager, signed Dickson Etuhu from Sunderland on Friday and he may compete with the Londoner for playing time.
Bullard steps into the limelight because Steven Gerrard, Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves are absent because of injury, although it appears hard to believe that Capello would start him in central midfield ahead of Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry.
When asked about his selection Jimmy said “I’m absolutely over the moon. Just delighted.”
“I’m so excited but I just want to go and meet up with the guys now and do whatever the manager asks of me.”