Duo eager with England

Robert Green and Matthew Upson have been hard at work with England as they prepare for the start of World Cup qualifying this weekend.

The West Ham United duo have been training with the rest of Fabio Capello's 23-man squad at London Colney ahead of the Group 6 game this Saturday in Barcelona against Andorra. That match, the first on the road to the 2010 finals, will be followed by a tricky trip to Croatia for a match next Wednesday.

Upson, who earned his eighth cap in the 2-1 win against Switzerland in February, will be keeping a close eye on the fitness of fellow defender Rio Ferdinand who has sat out training with a stiff back. The Manchester United defender will travel with the party to Barcelona, though. Should he not be fit enough to make the starting XI, Upson or Joleon Lescott are likely to take his place. Green, meanwhile, has been put through his paces with fellow keepers David James and Paul Robinson under the watchful eye of goalkeeping coach Franco Tancredi.