Robert Green has been backed to make the England jersey his own now Steve McClaren is no longer in charge of the national team.

Green made his England debut back in 2005 on the summer tour to America but is yet to win a second cap despite being a regular member of the squad under Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Green missed the World Cup after damaging his knee in a B international against Belarus and then rarely got a look-in when McClaren took charge.

He was not considered for England's crunch Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia with Scott Carson and David James preferred to the out-of-form Paul Robinson.

But West Ham's assistant coach Mervyn Day insists Green must be given his chance in England's new year friendlies against Switzerland and France.

"I cannot believe Robert hasn't got into the England squad," said Day, a former Hammers keeper.

"He has been consistently excellent for the last nine or 10 months. In the run-in last season he won us two or three games on his own.

"You only have to look back to the Arsenal away game when he got 25 out of 10 for his performance.

"When Sven was appointed he looked about and thought 'I have got no pre-conceived ideas, let's see who is in form'.

"Everybody who comes in should start with a clean slate and look who is playing well. If they do that honestly then Robert must have a fabulous chance."

Green has already saved four penalties for West Ham this season and played a key role in their recent six-match unbeaten run.

That streak was ended by last weekend's 1-0 defeat to Chelsea and West Ham expect another tough examination against European challengers Blackburn.

"It's going to be a tough game up there," Scott Parker told www.whufc.com.

"They're a very good side. We know what they're about. They work hard so it is going to be tough but we look forward to it."

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