Comment by Simon Lowe

IS THERE any good reason why Matty Etherington shouldn’t be involved in England’s opening match of the 2012 World Cup against the United States on 12th June 12?

The way the winger is playing makes him, without question, the best most in-form English left-sided attacker in the country.

To be honest, Ethers doesn’t have a whole lot of competition. Of the other 19 Premier League sides, only Aston Villa and Chelsea boast English left-sided attackers fit to lace his boots.

Indeed, that’s been the case for years.

Since we bade farewell to John Barnes and Chris Waddle, England’s dearth of left-wingers has been well documented.

Of course, the likely left-sided midfielder to face the Yanks will most probably be the right-footed Joe Cole., if the Chelsea man avoids injury.

Aston Villa’s James Milner is clearly going to be on the plane, and quite rightly too as he can play on either flank and in the centre, and has been on top form of late.

But the only attacker in with a shout with a natural left foot is Villa’s perennial nearly man Stewart Downing, a winger more frustrating than a power cut during a peep show.

He’s a decent enough player, but Downing does not take men on, has no change of pace and does not offer anything other than deep diagonal crosses from 40 yards out.

Etherington, as he is proving every week, has speed to burn, lovely close control, can get to the byline by going around the outside, come inside and interlink. He even tracks back and tackles. He is the perfect modern flank attacker.

You don’t win the World Cup with fill-in players in such important positions. It’s as simple as that.

How appropriate then that Ethers should bring his top game to the table on Sir Stanley Matthews Day, with the images played on the big screen before kick-off inspiring many Stokies’ memories, and then being matched by the performance of City’s number 26.

But is there any real prospect of Etherington even being included in an England get-together in the months leading up to the World Cup?

Sadly, not a hope. In the 1970s, Stoke City’s players were roundly ignored by England, despite being one of the best five teams in the country.

That situation hasn’t changed one iota. Can you imagine the fit the Stoke-bashers in the national media would have if Fabio Capello did the right thing and named Ethers for the friendly against Egypt in March?

Etherington at least has some previous experience, having won three under-21 caps, but he did not fulfil his early promise. Now, though, Ethers is in his prime.

Yet I still feel there is even more to come from him.as he can outpace almost any full-back in the division and has the ability to really destroy teams. We’ve got years more fun and plenty more goals such as his wonderful third on Saturday to enjoy.

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