Capello says Barry will play for England against Algeria after more than 1 month out injured

Barry to play for England vs. Algeria

RUSTENBURG, South Africa — England midfielder Gareth Barry will return from a six-week injury layoff and play against Algeria on Friday in the team’s second World Cup match.

The central midfielder has been sidelined since May 5 when he damaged ligaments in his right ankle while playing for Manchester City.

“Gareth will play this Friday. He is OK, there is no problem,” coach Fabio Capello told the BBC on Wednesday. “He has trained very well and he is fit.”

England was held to a 1-1 draw by the United States in the Group C opener, and Capello has been criticized for not playing Barry.

“He can sit in the hole for us, is good in possession and gives us another option,” England striker Wayne Rooney said.

Returning Barry to the holding role which worked so successfully in World Cup qualifying would free up Steven Gerrard to take a more attacking spot on the left flank, and split the captain’s ineffective midfield partnership with Frank Lampard.

“He showed in qualifying how good he is,” England defender Jamie Carragher said. “We’ve not got too many like that, so he’s obviously done a good job for England.”

Goalkeeper Robert Green’s could be replaced after his blunder on Saturday that gave the Americans’ Clint Dempsey’s a goal in a 1-1 draw.

“He made a mistake — a big mistake,” Capello said. “In the second half he played well because he made a good save, but I have to decide.

“It’s a problem of the mind; you remember always the mistake. You have to choose the best keeper mentally at this moment.”

Capello can either opt for experience with the 39-year-old David James, who has played 50 times for England, including at the 2004 European Championship. Or the Italian could select the 23-year-old Joe Hart, who has little international experience but impressed at Birmingham, helping the Premier League club go on a 15-game unbeaten run.