Zamora still has more to prove to book World Cup spot

There have been increasing calls for Bobby Zamora's inclusion in Fabio Capello's World Cup squad following the striker's impressive showing against Juventus last night.

The 29 year old Fulham player put in a mature performance against the most decorated side in Italian football history, scoring The Cottagers' opening goal and sparking the emphatic come-back which saw the West Londoners through to the Europa League quarter final. But the clamour for Zamora to feature in England's squad for South Africa is more an indictment of English attacking depth - beyond the imperious Wayne Rooney - than it is belief that Bobby Zamora is the calibre of player to score the goals that will win the World Cup.

The striker, to his credit, has scored some crucial goals for Fulham this season. Having declined a summer move to Premiership strugglers Hull City, the former Spurs and West Ham player has enjoyed his most consistent top-flight season to date. The 29 year old has netted 16 goals this season, with Premiership strikes against Liverpool and Manchester United. Furthermore, Zamora has weighed in with some important goals in Fulham's European adventure. His strong outing in The Cottagers' crucial 3-2 win at FC Basel's St. Jakob-Park saw him score twice to send his side through to the knockout phase of the Europa League. There, he scored the winner at Craven Cottage over Europa League holders, Ukranian side Shaktar Donetsk before last night's effort against Juventus.

Zamora is undoubtedly a grafter, and typifies the workmanlike foundation upon which the impressive Roy Hodgson has constructed his Fulham side. The English striker has demonstrated a penchant for scoring in important fixtures this season, but it is yet to be seen whether or not he can perform on the biggest stage. Without any international or Champions League appearances in his career, Fabio Capello will struggle to assess Zamora's big-match credentials, save for Fulham's buccaneering European campaign. Furthermore, Zamora does flatter to deceive. The unimpressive form shown prior to this season must be taken into account. In terms of Premiership records, the 29 year old can only be regarded as a failure at both Spurs and West Ham.

Today's news of an hamstring tear suffered by Jermain Defoe, as well as monitoring Carlton Cole's return to fitness, will frustrate Fabio Capello. The England manager unveils his 23-man squad on the 1st of June, and he has been posed several dilemmas by injuries to players on the periphery of his squad for South Africa. The attacking department is just another area where Capello now has crucial decisions to make.

Whilst Zamora's recent performances will not have gone unnoticed by the 63 year old manager - Capello was present at Fulham's Craven Cottage triumph last night - he has not shown much creativity in his attacking selections to date. England play just 2 more friendlies before Capello names his World Cup squad. The national side will face Mexico at Wembley in May, before playing Japan in Austria later that week, and Zamora certainly deserves an opportunity on the international stage. But questions still remain over whether Zamora has the consistent ability to shine on the world's biggest stage.