KIRKLAND UP FOR ENGLAND NO1 SPOT

WIGAN boss Roberto Martinez is preparing a secret dossier for Fabio Capello to prove keeper Chris Kirkland's injury hell is over.

Martinez is convinced Kirkland should be England's No 1 at the World Cup in South Africa.

And he fears the keeper is being held back by his reputation as football's man of glass.

Kirkland has played just 45 minutes for his country, in Steve McClaren's first game in charge when England beat Greece 4-0 in August 2006.

Since then his back problems have forced him to pull out of numerous squads.

Kirkland even took the decision to step back from playing for his country for a spell when he discovered flying caused his problems to flare up again.

But he is now playing regularly for Wigan and Martinez said: "If the national team manager asks my opinion I will give him every single detail.

"I don't believe in calling Fabio Capello to push my players.

"But once Chris grabs his attention we will give him a breakdown of his training to show how he has changed his work so the injury problems are in the past.

"The way Chris was training three years ago was affecting his fitness.

"He is a big boy, with a big frame and he has now found the right balance to stay sharp without overdoing it."

Rob Green, David James and Ben Foster are all ahead of Kirkland in the England pecking order at the moment.

Martinez added: "Capello picks the form players and if Foster plays regularly for Manchester United he is in the driving seat.

"If that changes Chris has all the ingredients to be the No 1.But it's not down to us to talk about it. It is down to Chris to show it in his performances."

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