Jagielka eager to seize England chance

Tom WILLIAMS

Everton defender Phil Jagielka says England's players will all have points to prove when they tackle old rivals the Republic of Ireland in an end-of-season friendly at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday.

England travel to Rio de Janeiro after the game for a glamour fixture with Brazil, and the two matches represent opportunities for players to convince manager Roy Hodgson that they can play key roles in the weightier games to come.

Following another friendly with neighbours Scotland in August, England will resume their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign with a double-header against Moldova and Ukraine in early September.

With only three games scheduled before Moldova come to Wembley on September 6, Jagielka is hoping to prove he deserves a chance to become one of England's first-choice centre-backs.

"We don't really know what the starting XI will be, so it's all about putting down a marker this week," said the 30-year-old, who has not played for his country since October because of injury.

"There are no points available, but I'm sure everyone will be trying to cement their place ahead of the games in August and September.

AFP