West Brom's Nicky Shorey deserves England chance insists Derek Statham

Oct 10 2010 by Christopher Lepkowski, Sunday Mercury

West Brom legend Derek Statham has endorsed Nicky Shorey’s England credentials – but has warned him not to hold his breath.

Shorey has been in excellent form since making the short move from Villa Park during the summer.

The ex-Reading man is showing the kind of consistency which gained him a glowing reputation during his spell at the Madejski and got him three England call-ups and two caps.

Statham, who now lives in Spain, has been impressed with Shorey’s progress.

But the 51-year-old, who made nearly 300 appearances for Albion, fears Shorey may not be given the credit he deserves.

Not only is Ashley Cole recognised as England’s undisputed first-choice left-back but Shorey suffers from the same problem that curtailed Statham’s international career – playing in the West Midlands.

Statham earned just three caps during a period when he was often referred to as England’s best left-back.

To this day Tony ‘Bomber’ Brown speaks about Statham’s ability on the ball as being more akin to that of a midfield play-maker, while Willie Johnston, Albion’s legendary winger, claims in his book that the Wolverhampton-born defender was probably the most skilful player at the club.

Statham’s England appearances came in friendlies. His rival for the No.3 shirt was Kenny Sansom, who was to earn 86 caps.

Statham was no one-off. Cyrille Regis earned just five caps for his country, while Bryan Robson’s credentials had to be pushed by a Birmingham Mail campaign – yet within a few months of leaving Albion, Robson was not only an England regular but also captain.

Statham believes the area suffers from an image problem.

He has a point. Not only was Scott Carson overlooked by England this week, but Roger Johnson and Scott Dann were shunned last season despite their good form for Blues.