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Lambert a World Cup must, says Le Tissier

ESPN staff
May 9, 2014
Matt Le Tissier makes his case for Rickie Lambert to go to the World Cup

Matt Le Tissier says Southampton striker Rickie Lambert is a must for Roy Hodgson's England squad at the World Cup.

Hodgson names his final 23 on Monday and while Le Tissier, who spent his entire career at Southampton, joked of being biased, he also put forward a compelling argument for Lambert to head to Brazil.

"Lambert has the nod for me as the big centre forward over Andy Carroll as I think he has more about him and more qualities to bring the squad."

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Lambert has worked his way up through the divisions with Macclesfield Town, Stockport Count, Rochdale and Bristol Rovers before his move to Southampton, who he helped gain successive promotions from League One to the Premier League.

He made his England debut last year at the age of 31 and has played three more times since, scoring twice.

Le Tissier, who won eight caps, added: "The way that his career has gone - playing in the lower leagues for so many years and coming up from League One with Southampton and the World Cup would be quite incredible.

"No one would be more chuffed for him than me."

Le Tissier also said he would take Wayne Rooney, who "has the ability to be a world class footballer", Danny Welbeck "for his energy levels and good goalscoring record for England, and Daniel Sturridge, who Le Tissier believes "will be a starter in the first game against Italy".

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