Neville on standby after Reo Coker drops out

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2006

LONDON (AFP) — Veteran fullback Phil Neville was called up to replace West Ham captain Nigel Reo-Coker for England's World Cup stand-by list.

The 29-year-old Everton defender joins Scott Carson, Michael Dawson, who himself replaced Luke Young on Sunday, Jermain Defoe and Andrew Johnson on England's five-man standby list.

Reo-Coker was forced to admit he was not fit enough after suffering from a persistent back problem when he pulled out of training with England on Tuesday.

Neville looked to have faded far from the reckoning after a moderate season with Everton but the 52-times capped brother of Manchester United defender Gary has forced his way back in.

The stand-by list is in case any of the main squad are injured before England's first game against...