Following Robert Green’s howler that gifted the USA an equaliser, England coach Fabio Capello must decide whether to stick with the West Ham United keeper or to look at putting either the experienced David James or the young but untried Joe Hart into the firing line against Algeria.

England were ahead and comparatively comfortable when Clint Dempsey’s speculative shot slipped through Green’s fingers and despite a later save, turning Jozy Altidore’s shot onto the post, questions will be asked as to whether Capello will keep faith with his original choice.

England have suffered a catalogue of goalkeeping errors in major tournaments from Peter Shilton’s slip against Italy that cost England 3^rd place in Italia ’90, through Scott Carson’s aberration against Croatia and Paul Robinson’s air-kick and can’t afford to give away goals against anyone. However, Capello, said ‘Sometimes a forward misses a goal and sometimes the keeper makes a mistake, this is football. The second half he played very well.’

As well as the keeper position, the defence is another concern after Ledley King had to be replaced at half time. The England camp indicated that it is only a small problem with Capello adding that King can ‘probably play’ against Algeria.