By MARK IRWIN
CHRIS SMALLING insists he can fill the gap left by Rio Ferdinand’s fall from England grace.
The defender has played second fiddle to Manchester United team-mate Ferdinand for most of his time at Old Trafford.
But now the player once signed from non-League Maidstone by then Fulham boss Roy Hodgson believes he is ready to become a Three Lions regular.
Smalling, 23, was a virtual spectator during Friday’s 8-0 stroll in San Marino.
But he hopes to have done enough to keep his place in an injury-ravaged back four against Montenegro tomorrow night.
And with John Terry retired from international football and Ferdinand unlikely to play for his country again, Smalling knows he has a real opportunity to impress.
He said: “I’m definitely conscious of the chance in central defence.
“There is clearly an opening there and the more games I can get, the more the position can become my own.
“I think the players who have come in have given the manager something to think about.
“A lot of players have put their cases forward in San Marino for what we know will be the big one against Montenegro.
“This has been a frustrating season for me because it didn’t get started until mid-November due to injuries so it’s good to be getting a run of games now.
“But I’ve been feeling good lately so hopefully I can finish the campaign well and have a good pre-season to make up for the one I missed last year.”
Smalling is encouraged by the knowledge he has the support of Hodgson after playing in back-to-back internationals against Brazil and San Marino.
He added: “It’s great to have a manager who has belief in you.
“Both Alex Ferguson at United and Roy Hodgson have given me real confidence.
“That gives me the faith in my ability to go out there and just play.
“But the game in Montenegro is massive for England at the top of our World Cup qualifying group.
“We’ve taken note of their results and we know it’s going to be a close group.”
