Capello urged to take look at Kieran

Nov 12 2008 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

FABIO Capello has been urged to consider a shock England return for Sunderland midfielder Kieran Richardson following his impressive transformation at the Stadium of Light.

Richardson has been the Black Cats’ best player so far this season according to his club manager Roy Keane and the Irishman believes the 24-year-old is showing the sort of form which will make it impossible for Capello to ignore his claim for international recognition.

The former Manchester United prospect had a poor first year on Wearside as he struggled for form and fitness, but has been superb so far this year, responding perfectly to a challenge set by Keane to either start to realise his full potential, or risk being forced out of the club against his will.

And Keane is adamant it is only a matter of time before his former teammate at Old Trafford, who won eight caps during his time at Manchester United, is back in the international fold after finally realising what is needed, both on and off the pitch, to be a success at the very top level.

“We want work-rate from the players,” said Keane, who has even suggested the midfielder will start to attract interest from one the Premier League’s top four if he maintains his recent high standards. “The best example of that at our football club is Kieran Richardson.

“He has come back after the summer and his attitude has been spot on.

“His performance on Saturday (against Portsmouth), I thought it was outstanding.

“I watched the Arsenal v Manchester United and it enthralled me. It was an amazing game of football, the standard, the intensity, and I honestly feel Kieran could have played in that

game. Kieran is climbing back to the level he was at three or four years ago. And that was when his potential was as an England player. He was away in the USA scoring a couple of goals for England, he was the main man out there.

“Can he get back in the England team? Absolutely, 100%, there is no doubt in my mind that he can do that. Over the last few months, I wouldn’t say I was shocked, but I have been absolutely delighted with him, he has been brilliant.

“Kieran has a great chance of being a future captain. His whole attitude around the place, in the canteen, the attitude to the staff, spot on. He will get his rewards one way or the other.”

Meanwhile, Keane has revealed he is contemplating recalling winger Carlos Edwards from a successful loan spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Edwards has played five games since making a temporary switch to the west Midlands and many observers felt the Trinidad and Tobago international had played his last game for the club.

But Keane insisted yesterday he had only sent the winger out on loan to get some much needed match practice following a previous campaign which had been ravaged by injury.

He added: “We perhaps lacked his pace in the second half against Portsmouth, pace is a massive part of the game and that is something we have missed at this football club for a number of years. Carlos needed games, he had hardly played for a year. At the back of my mind I know I can call him back and may well do that when I’ve had a look at who is in the treatment room. Carlos gives us something when he is fit and strong.

“The same is true of Anthony Stokes. I’ve seen Sheffield United games and Stokesy has been playing really well. We can call him back as well after the weekend which is something I also need to consider.

“These players have gone out on loan because they needed to play some games. Sometimes you have to make these decisions, but the door is still open for them.”