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Green vows to bounce back

Author: Brandon Barker
Date: 14/06/2010
Football betting

Goalkeeper Robert Green insists he has the mental strength to recover from his calamitous World Cup mistake during England's 1-1 draw with the United States.

Fabio Capello's side had taken an early lead thanks to Steven Gerrard's well-taken goal and were in control of the match until Green inexplicably allowed Clint Dempsey's weak shot to slip out of his grasp and trundle over the line in their Group C opener in Rustenburg.

The West Ham keeper could be dropped for Friday's second game against Algeria with David James and Joe Hart pushing for the number one jersey.

But despite his high-profile mistake, Green believes he can cope with the scrutiny he will be under should Capello keep faith with him.

"It was a mistake," he said. "The important thing is not to let it affect you for however long is left in the game.

"That is what you prepare for mentally. You don't prepare mentally for making great saves and playing the perfect game. You prepare for trauma."

Meanwhile, Ledley King looks set to miss England's next World Cup encounter with Algeria on Friday after picking up a groin injury against the Unites States.

Jamie Carragher replaced King against the US and the Liverpool defender could now start against Algeria for which the Three Lions are strong online betting favourites to win.

Will England overcome Algeria on Friday? - Latest Football Betting

Meanwhile, owner Mohamed Al Fayed does not expect Roy Hodgson to walk out on Fulham to take the Liverpool job.

Hodgson has emerged as one of the frontrunners for the managerial vacancy at Anfield following an impressive spell at the helm of the Cottagers.

The 62-year-old Englishman has transformed the west London club from Premier League relegation candidates to Europa League finalists in the space of just two-and-a-half years.

However, despite a recent flurry of speculation, Al Fayed does not expect Hodgson to leave Craven Cottage this summer to replace Rafael Benitez in the Liverpool hot-seat.

Elsewhere, Lewis Hamilton ended Red Bull's dominance of qualifying so far this season by snatching pole position for McLaren at Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix.

The 2008 world champion edged out Red Bull's Mark Webber by two-tenths of a second with the Australian's team-mate Sebastian Vettel third.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso was fourth while McLaren's Jenson Button endured an error-strewn session as he could only post the fifth fastest time.

Force India's Vitantonio Liuzzi impressed in sixth with the top ten being completed by Felipe Massa, Robert Kubica, Adrian Sutil and Nico Rosberg.

Number eight Jamie Heaslip has been banned for five weeks following his sending off in the early stages of Ireland's 66-28 defeat to New Zealand.

Heaslip was cited following his 15th minute dismissal in New Plymouth on Saturday and the subsequent ban means he will now miss the two remaining games - against New Zealand Maori and Australia - on the summer tour.

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