ENGLAND manager Fabio Capello is reportedly close to announcing West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green as his number one, with the 29-year-old set to start between the sticks for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan.

The Daily Mail claims Capello is ready to put his faith in Green, who was instrumental for the Hammers this season, and was voted as runner-up in the club's player of the year vote.

An injury to regular Three Lions keeper David James means the number one jersey is up for grabs, with Blackburn Rovers' stopper Paul Robinson and West Brom's Scott Carson also in the squad for the matches against Kazakhstan and Andorra next Wednesday.

The promotion would surely come as a surprise to Green, who recently wore gloves emblazoned with the words 'England's number six'.