By Dan Harrison
Steve Froggatt has urged England to stick with James Milner, insisting the Villa midfielder was hard done by in the World Cup opener against the USA.
Milner started the match in an unfamiliar left-sided midfield role and was still feeling the effects of a bug which prevented him from training for several days during the build-up.
Three Lions boss Fabio Capello opted to replace the 24-year-old with Shaun Wright-Phillips on the half hour mark.
Although Milner had picked up a booking, Froggatt felt the decision to substitute him was harsh.
And the former claret and blues winger hopes the episode doesn't hamper Milner's chances during the rest of the tournament.
"You always talk about how you play," said Froggatt. "If someone put me on the right wing, I'd be about as much use as a chocolate teapot because I am not a right winger.
"You are playing in a World Cup and you need to feel comfortable with what you are doing.
"To put Milner, who has been brilliant all season for Villa, in a position that is alien to him and expect him to know what to do is completely and utterly wrong.
"To add insult to injury, the poor lad was hauled off after half an hour.
"I know he had a virus and had been booked but I still think it was a little harsh.
"If that is the last game James plays in the World Cup, then I think Capello has treated him pretty roughly really."
Froggatt has backed Milner to make an impact at the World Cup, saying he deserves his place in the squad more than any other midfielder.
"He, probably more than any other midfield player there right now, deserves his place in the squad," added Froggatt.
"Having seen him at under-21 level and seeing him play a pass, he has just got that natural game where he can play anywhere.
"He has got a great shot, he knows where the goal is, he's scored goals from the middle of the park this season, and he has just grown in stature as the season has gone on.
"He'll hopefully be a key figure for Villa for many years to come."
Froggatt also feels Emile Heskey would be very unlucky to lose his place for the Algeria clash.
Despite an impressive display against the Americans, the Villa striker's goalscoring record continues to be the subject of debate.
Like other admirers of Heskey, Froggatt sees his ability to bring other players into the game as a huge asset.
"Every time you see Emile in an England shirt, I think he performs admirably," he said.
"He's a really great link-up player. He has never been a prolific goalscorer, even at Liverpool, when he was in a team that created loads of chances, he never scored loads and loads of goals.
"But what he does is play other people in and if you are a player, you appreciate how he plays.
"Fans don't always see that but I can see why those around him would love playing with Emile.
"He set up Gerrard's goal and for me he was England's best player [against the USA].
"If he doesn't play, he will feel very disappointed that he is not playing because he performed really well without scoring a goal."
