England players back Green as Capello considers changing keeper for 2nd World Cup match

Players back Green as Capello weighs keeper switch

RUSTENBURG, South Africa — England’s players rallied around Robert Green, while coach Fabio Capello contemplated whether to drop the goalkeeper who cost them a World Cup win against the United States.

Green fumbled Clint Dempsey’s low, 25-yard shot into the goal, leaving England with one point heading into Friday’s second Group C match against Algeria.

“We have time to decide and to speak with (Green) and I will decide,” Capello said.

England’s first rest day since arriving in South Africa turned out to be one for reflection, but Green said the blunder wouldn’t affect him psychologically.

“I’m 30, I’m a man, and you have hardships in life and prepare for them,” Green said Saturday night. “I’m strong enough to move on. At a younger point in my life it would have affected me more.”

David James, the squad’s veteran goalkeeper who has been struggling with knee problems since arriving in South Africa, backed his teammate.

“Mistakes happen in goalkeeping, and Rob Green made a great save (from Jozy Altidore) in the second half to keep us at 1-1,” the 39-year-old James said. “A mistake like that should stay with you for just two minutes.”

Midfielder Frank Lampard also stood up for Green, saying “no one will be pointing the finger” at him.

“It is unfortunate for keepers,” Lampard said. “They are the last line and, when they make a bit of a (mistake), it gets picked out.”

Green will now have to wait for Capello to make his decision on a starter for the match against Algeria, which lost to Slovenia 1-0 in its opener. That result put Slovenia atop Group C, ahead of both England and the United States.

The 63-year-old Capello also has a host of other decisions to mull over, too — starting with the defenders standing in front of goal.

Ledley King, who was brought to the World Cup despite chronic knee problems, had to be replaced at halftime due to a fresh groin injury and is a doubt for Friday’s game. Jamie Carragher, who was persuaded to come out of international retirement for the tournament, came on for King but looked immobile.

Capello could now give Michael Dawson a chance, with the hope that he reproduces the form that helped Tottenham qualify for the Champions League. Or he could select Matthew Upson, who has started nine times under the Italian.

Wayne Rooney’s position up front will not be under threat despite his failing to score for a sixth game.

“We knew negating as much space as we could in front of him so he couldn’t (create) would give us the best chance,” United States defender Jay DeMerit said.

Emile Heskey’s starting spot is coming under increasing scrutiny. He fed Steven Gerrard for the fourth-minute opener on Saturday but he has yet to score for England in a year.

“All the teams I have seen so far in the World Cup will look to improve,” Lampard said, “and we are the same as everybody else in that way.”