Shaka in goal against England

Shaka Hislop will be between the uprights when Trinidad and Tobago oppose England at the World Cup Finals tomorrow in Nuremberg, Germany.

The West Ham custodian yesterday was confirmed to keep his place by national team coach Leo Beenhakker after the Soca Warriors wound down training in anticipation of the important Group ‘B’ clash.

The Dutchman made the announcement at a media conference at the Hiemat Museum in Rotenburg.

Beenhakker said that all his players are fit but he will start with Hislop after he gave a performance of his life against Sweden on Saturday. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.

Hislop was only playing after first choice goalkeeper Kelvin Jack hurt a calf muscle in pre-match warm-up and was pulled out of the starting line up minutes before the kick-off in Dortmund.

Beenhakker however declined to reveal who he will pick to replace Avery John who had the dubious distinction of being the first player to be sent off in the 2006 Finals when he collected his second yellow card for a reckless tackle one minute into the second half of the match.

Speculation is that Brent Sancho will be pushed into the left back slot which will open up an opportunity for creative midfielder Aurtis Whitley to regain his place on the team. But all the news isn’t great. Central defender Marvin ‘Dog’ Andrews apparently has not fully recovered from his hamstring strain and although he has been training with the team at the Sportsplatz Ground in Rotenburg, will not play tomorrow.

Beenhakker warned against overestimating the English team who he said looked very strong on paper but have in the past failed to make any impression at the World cup Finals since their success of 1968.

“They have the talent,” he said. “But I don’ t know why they have not been able to do better at the World Cup. I don’t know why and I don’t want to know. I have my own share of problems, I assure you.” He said that the Trinidad and Tobago players have been mentally and physically prepared and their effort as a team could prove more than enough to turn back the talent pool of the English.

Beenhakker said he knows English coach Sven Goran-Ericksson very well and holds him in very high esteem since he possesses an impeccable record as a football coach.

However he said his immediate responsibility is to prepare his team for the challenge against England.

And Yorke dowplayed his friendly relationship with England captain David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville as likely to have an effect on his performance tomorrow.

Yorke, who played with the trio while at Manchester United, said he is prepared to again play in a defensive midfield role as he did in impressive fashion on Saturday against Sweden.

“I don’t know where I will be playing, but if the coach wants me there again I am ready,” Yorke said.

Yorke said he is not worried about facing Michael Owen or Wayne Rooney in that defensive position since he has been training for the opportunity to display his new found skills. He expressed his gratitude to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson for allowing him to train with his former team-mates for six weeks before joining the Soca Warriors for the warm-up match against Peru last month and the subsequent pre-World Cup training camp. “I was welcomed back and at one time felt that I was again a member of the club,” said Yorke who now plays for Sydney in the Australia ‘A’ League.

He refused to divulge what advice Sir Alex had given him about the match against England but assured that the Scotsman was backing the Soca Warriors.

“Should we win, I expect to get a call from him the next day,” Yorke said.