Ex-City pal tips Hart for top

USA winger DaMarcus Beasley has backed former team-mate Joe Hart to be a success for England - but still wants to score against him.

Former Shrewsbury Town keeper Hart is line for his first full England cap when the two countries meet at Wembley tomorrow night

The Manchester City ace is one of a number of youngsters who has caught the eye of England manager Fabio Capello in recent months.

Beasley was the 21-year-old's team-mate at Eastlands during the 2006/07 season when the American enjoyed a loan spell from PSV Eindhoven before joining current club Rangers.

The pair have remained friends and Beasley, who is back to fitness following five months out with a knee injury, made it clear he would show no mercy should a goal-scoring opportunity come his way during the friendly.

"I spoke to Joe last week and I was happy he got called up to the squad," Beasley said.

"He deserved it. I played with him at City last season and I know he has had a tremendous season this year so hopefully I will play against him - and score against him.

"He is a good friend of mine. He is young but he is a guy that Capello sees as one for the future. There are other guys like David James who are in the number one spot but he is right up there.

"This is his first call up so if he gets even half a game I'm sure he will be very happy with that.

"He is a very nice guy. He was one of the friendliest when I came to City even though he was a young guy. He is a fun guy in training to be around and I have kept in touch with him, along with Micah Richards."

Meanwhile Owen Hargreaves insists there will be "no animosity" from the England players towards whoever is eventually chosen as Fabio Capello's long-term captain.

The battle for the coveted role is hotting up with Capello yet to announce who will lead out the side for this week's friendly internationals with the United States and Trinidad and Tobago.

Hargreaves believes his Manchester United team-mate Rio Ferdinand, given the armband for the friendly international with France in Paris two months ago, would be a worthy appointment.

But he recognises the qualities of the likes of Steven Gerrard, David Beckham and John Terry.

And Hargreaves is adamant the mutual respect between the players will mean Capello's decision will be accepted with good grace.

He said: "I have a lot of respect for all those players, JT (Terry) and Rio (Ferdinand), Frank Lampard, Stevie G (Gerrard), Becks (David Beckham). Go right across the board and they are all capable of doing it."

By Jon West