(from Sporting Life.com)

'Ridsdale, meanwhile, is advocating David Batty should be a part of Eriksson's World Cup squad, despite not having played for England for nearly 29 months.

The last of Batty's 42 caps came in September 1999 when he was sent off in a European Championship qualifier against Poland in Warsaw, with then coach Kevin Keegan's side held to a goalless draw.

Ridsdale, though, believes the 33-year-old is playing as well as any of the other Leeds players being touted for a squad place, including the likes of Ferdinand, Nigel Martyn and Robbie Fowler.

"The way David Batty is playing at the moment I would think with his experience Sven could do much worse than to take him to Japan and the World Cup," added Ridsdale.

"He is a player who has been there before and who is playing as well as he has ever played.'

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

Answers

A Previously ok player?

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

That's moved Ridsdale down a few pegs in my estimation. He must be getting desparate for international recognition for his "bairns" now that it likley that Bowyer and Woodgate won't be picked. Presumably he didn't see how cr@p Nora was against us.

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

Batty isn't the palyer he once was. He has lost the ability part of his game and the tenacity element has multiplied into raw thuggery.

He would only miss another penalty anyway.

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

I'd buy him. Just what we need. All this bolloks about replacing Lee is tosh. Dyer has replaced Lee. It's Batty we never replaced.

-- Anonymous, January 25, 2002

I thought he replaced Pedro? And Speed is playing the 'modern' Rob Lee role.

-- Anonymous, January 25, 2002