Who The Hell Is David Nugent

So Darren Bent is injured. OK, fair enough. So who does Steve McClaren call up in his place : David Nugent.

David Nugent plays for Preston. Preston. Yup, that team in what used to be called the Second Division. He does appear to be able to play a bit. He does scores goals. I'm not knocking the guy. After all he's been up against such mighty talents as Lewin Nyatanga and Clarke Carlisle.

Let's be honest. Nobody really knows whether Nugent will become a top class player. Least of all Steve McClaren. So why pick a guy who has never played a single minute of Premiership football for an England squad that desperately needs to win against Israel and Andorra.

Are we really so lacking in forward talent in England that we have to pick Nugent? Surely even a surprise recall for Robbie Fowler (look, I know it's ridiculous, there's no need to point it out) would be better. At least we know Fowler can still score goals at the top level.

But, unfortunately, the answer is yes. We don't have ANY world class strikers in England any more, hence Nugent's inclusion.

Andy Johnson. Jermain Defoe. Peter Crouch. Darren Bent. All good Premiership players but hardly names to scare the best defenders in the world are they.