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SCMP Reporter

MANCHESTER United stalwart Gary Pallister is facing another England heartbreak - and no one at Old Trafford can understand why.

The reason for Pallister's torment is simple - exclusion from Glenn Hoddle's squad for this year's World Cup in France. When Hoddle announced his squad for the recent friendly international with Chile, there was no berth for the 6ft 4in stopper.

  The experienced central defender also missed out on Euro 96 through a back injury and now sees his hopes of England honours slipping as an army of defenders line up to claim their places in the final squad.

  The squad for the Chile match contained Gary Neville, Sol Campbell, Tony Adams, Martin Keown and Gareth Southgate.

  Add to that the fact that Dion Dublin is now in the frame, as a forward who can double as a defender in an emergency, and the pressing claims from Liverpool's Dominic Matteo and West Ham's 19-year-old Rio Ferdinand and things look extremely bleak for Pallister.

  Yet, according to Carling Opta, the Premier League's official compiler of player performance statistics, Pallister is one of the most consistent players of the season.

  Apart from his defensive qualities, the United kingpin is also at the top of the table when it comes to distribution and accurate passing. He has a 90 per cent success rating when it comes to passing.

  But it is a sobering thought that Pallister has started only one match since Hoddle became coach.

  That was Hoddle's first international in charge, in Moldova in September, 1996. since then the centre-half has been restricted to just one further appearance, as a substitute against Poland.

  The manner of England's recent 2-0 defeat by Chile at Wembley, with the defensive qualities of Campbell put to the test by ace marksman Marcelo Salas, may yet provide a reprieve for Pallister.

 Many observers, though, believe Hoddle will take only one 'veteran' defender to France with the front runner being the born-again Arsenal captain Tony Adams.

   Pallister, though, is not without his admirers and included in that number is his United teammate David Beckham who, barring injury, is a certainty to make the final 22 for England's campaign.

  Beckham said: 'It would be a shame if Pally did not go to the World Cup.

  'He will be very upset since he knows that this is probably the last chance he will have to win anything with England.

  'If you look at the games he has played for United ? and England ? he's been superb.

  'Anyone who writes him off is definitely making a mistake but I must admit it is looking difficult for him.'   Pallister, 33, was once the most expensive player in the country after United paid Middlesbrough ?2.3 million for his services almost nine years ago.

  Hoddle has already dropped hints that there will be room for only one veteran central defender in his final squad and Beckham, torn between friend and international captain, fully supports the inclusion of Adams if that is the way the cards fall.

  Beckham said: 'Tony is a great leader and a great squad personality. He helps bond the team.'   Adams himself is confident about playing in the World Cup finals in France.

  'I was very proud to be able to put the England shirt back on against Chile. My performance was OK and I think he (Hoddle) would be foolish if he didn't back me.

  'Salas grabbed the headlines but I think I kept him in check when he came near my area of the field. It is very satisfying for defenders to make good tackles, and to make your presence felt is a bonus.

  'I am not happy at the way we lost those goals but that is something for the manager and the players to work on.'   England look to Berne and another friendly with Switzerland as the next stage in their World Cup warm-up programme.



NOT SO PALLY