World Cup

[monks data]

World Cup | Qualifiers

Oct 15, 2013 at 8pm UK

England
2-0
Poland

Rooney (41'), Gerrard (88')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Martin Keown: 'Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka ready for Robert Lewandowski'

By Liam Power, Reporter

Published: October 15 2013 | 03:24

Last updated: October 15 2013 | 17:24

Martin Keown thinks that Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka have developed an understanding that can help England nullify Poland at Wembley tonight.

Ex-England defender Martin Keown believes that Three Lions fans should trust the centre-back pairing of Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka to perform against Poland tonight.

Cahill and Jagielka have now played together six times at the heart of England's defence, helping Roy Hodgson's side move to within one victory of World Cup qualification.

Keown thinks that both players will be kept busy by Poland's leading marksman Robert Lewandowski at Wembley this evening, but has backed the partnership to relish the responsibility of keeping him quiet.

He told the Daily Mail: "For Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill to get picked back-to-back for six games in a row is impressive. They have had time to develop that partnership and one of their strengths is their understanding.

"Jagielka and Cahill's finest hour was in Ukraine. It was the kind of performance where they showed they really belong at this level. Against Poland tonight, they are up against probably the finest out and out striker in Europe.

"Robert Lewandowski will occupy both of them and they have to get tight to him. They should be looking forward to facing him. In the little book of strikers who you can't wait to play against, he's right up there."

England will confirm their place in next summer's South American showpiece if they beat Poland at Wembley this evening.