Joleon Lescott's chance to entrench himself in Fabio Capello's England thoughts for the World Cup is the topic that grips the England reporters with the double-header coming up.

The Express's Paul Joyce, who has followed closely Lescott's development as his paper's respected Merseyside correspondent, has given the matter plenty of thought as you might expect.

While noting that Lescott must think he's "won the lottery ticket" with his move from Everton to Manchester City, Joycey points out that the player now has another golden opportunity.

Lescott has made two starts, both against Andorra, and Capello clearly and understandably favours the proven combination of Rio Ferdinand and John Terry, says the Express man.

But "for Lescott and West Ham's Matthew Upson, opportunity knocks and the chance to spend 10 days under Capello's meticulous eye should be seized with eager relish as they each seek to lay down a marker for South Africa."

Elsewhere, Richard Dunne has assured Aston Villa that they are equipped to challenge for the top four after ending his long and popular stint at City as the transfer window closed.

While it's interpreted in some quarters as a pop at the Blues - VILLA CAN BE BIG AS MAN CITY, trumpets The Sun - Dunney actually says: "Villa have improved each season recently.

"And with the players Martin O'Neill has brought in, this squad can challenge for a Champions League spot." Which is exactly what you'd expect him to say if you posed the question ...