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United youngster Chris Smalling can now start to think big for England
CHRIS SMALLING insists he can boost his claim for a regular place in England’s unsettled central defence in the hot house of Podgorica.
Manchester United centre-back Smalling won his fifth cap alongside Joleon Lescott in the unchallenging 8-0 defeat of San Marino after injury wrecked his emergence at Old Trafford and as an international player last year, forcing him to miss Euro 2012.
Roy Hodgson has made a vociferous defence of the central defenders available to him following the controversial withdrawal of Rio Ferdinand from this squad and John Terry’s retirement from international football.
Smalling said: “This has not been the ideal season. I didn’t really get going until November. I came back from my groin injury and then broke a metatarsal in pre-season. So it’s been frustrating.
“I definitely see this as a chance for me. There were a few pullouts and it gives the people here an opportunity.
“If I can get a little run, then the chance is there to make the position your own.
“I’ve been feeling strong and, hopefully, I can finish this season that way and then get a good pre-season next year, because I didn’t have one last summer.”