The under pressure national coach is looking at the villa team and set up which has soared them to the top of the league, to see how it can be utilised in his national team.

Manager Hoddle certainly has plenty of choice, with every outfield regular player for Villa being English!  The only foreigner in the team is in form keeper Mark Bosnich,  who missed today's West Ham clash with injury.

Gregory is pushing forward the claims of Alan Thompson, Uhgo Ehiogu and Alan Wright, with Hoddle looking and Hendry and Barry of his own accord after sensational reports and U21 performances from Hendry.  

The biggest dilemma for the England hierarchy concerns young starlet Gareth Barry, who at 17 has already trained with the first team.  For they must make the decision of whether he goes from the U18 squad to the U21, or even to the A team.

Alan Wright and Thompson feel they have a strong claim for an England place, especially with the lack of good left sided players available.