DAVID Moyes today backed Phil Jagielka to keep his England place ahead of rivals Rio Ferdinand and John Terry because he believes the defender has given England a fresh impetus.
The 28-year-old centre-back has featured in all of the national side's games since missing out on the dismal World Cup in South Africa. His displays against Hungary, Bulgaria and Switzerland have been so strong, that Moyes believes Fabio Capello now faces a hard decision over whether Terry or Ferdinand regain their places.
He said: "I would expect Phil to keep his place. I think he has given a fresh impetus to England. Rio Ferdinand is a top player, as is John Terry, and England have a strong base at centre-half.
"But I do think Jags has come in and done well. He gives them something different at the back. He is quick around the ball and would play with whoever he is paired alongside.
"It is like a team manager when he leaves out one of his better players and puts in someone who does well. That leaves you the dilemma of whether to give the boy a chance or go back to the player who was left out?"
The Everton boss did reveal, however, that Jagielka is carrying a knee injury which is threatening to dog his campaign little more than six months after he returned from a cruciate ligament problem.
"He is a really important player for us but he has been carrying a couple of injuries lately," said Moyes. "His knee is a problem.
"He's got a cyst in one of his knees and he may [have to] get it drained. His training has been very limited. We are nursing him along. We hope he will not need surgery because he is not long back from the cruciate in his other knee.
"It does fill up, though, and it is something that may need to be drained every six months or so."
