WEST HAM: Hammers trio impress for England (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WEST HAM: Hammers trio impress for England

7:06pm Sunday 6th September 2009 in

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WEST HAM players Robert Green and Matthew Upson played leading roles in England's 2-1 friendly win over Slovenia on Saturday, while Carlton Cole also made a late cameo appearance.

Green continues to command the support of Three Lions boss Fabio Capello through his club form, and the Italian showed further signs that he is willing to hand the Hammers keeper the number one jersey by handing him a start.

Upson also underlined his place as the country's third choice centre-half behind John Terry and Rio Ferdinand as he stepped in for the Manchester United defender in the heart of England's defence.

England took the lead late in the first half when Wayne Rooney was adjudged to have been fouled in the box and Frank Lampard stepped up to convert the resulting penalty.

Tottenham striker Jermaine Defoe continued his rich scoring vein with a precise shot from the edge of the box to double the hosts' lead. But the visitors grabbed a late consolation, denying Green a clean sheet.

Cole looked lively as he joined the fray late on, even fashioning a chance out of nothing with a brilliant piece of skill along the byline, only to see his eventual shot blocked.