APPLYING the thoroughly Christian principle of welcoming back a lamb who once strayed, Glenn Hoddle has recalled Paul Merson to the England squad for the World Cup qualifier against Poland at Wembley on Wednesday week. Two years ago Merson underwent a rehabilitation programme for drink, gambling and drug problems.
The fact that the 28 year old Merson's selection is no real surprise, considering how well he has been playing for Arsenal this season, says everything about the strength of character the player has shown in shaking off the tearful, bleary image he presented to the world shortly before Christmas in 1994.
"Paul has come back this season leaner than ever and performed extremely well," Hoddle explained when he announced the squad yesterday.
Merson is in the squad because Hoddle has lost Steve Stone, out for the season at Nottingham Forest, and Darren Anderton, the injury prone Tottenham winger who is facing yet another groin operation.
However, with David Beckham making out a strong case for retention, especially after his excellent performance for Manchester United against Rapid Viennain the Champions League on Wednesday, and Steve McManaman, who like Robbie Fowler, missed the qualifier in Moldova through injury, available again, the Arsenal striker will do well to win a place in the Hoddle's starting line up.
Another Arsenal man, David Platt, is back in the squad after injury, but there is no place for Tony Adams.
Hoddle, however, has included Dominic Matteo, Liverpool's 22 year old Scottish born left back, this time.
On an anorak note, if Matteo does win his first cap he will be become only the fifth England player whose name ends with the letter `O'. The others are Atyeo, Shellito, Dorigo and Salako.
