IF Jason Wilcox completes his remarkable comeback by gate-crashing England's European Championship party, there will be one man who will feel it's a job well done.

Blackburn Rovers physio Steve Foster has nursed the winger back from a serious cruciate knee ligament injury that kept him out of action for 11 months.

Now the 24-year-old is on the verge of a fairytale end to his lengthy nightmare if he is named in England's 22-man squad for next month's tournament.

Foster said: "I am absolutely delighted for Jason and he deserves everything he gets. While it makes me feel very pleased from a professional point of view to see him make a full recovery, all the credit must go to Jason.

"He's a very determined player and during his spell on the sidelines, his confidence never dropped - he always knew he was going to return."

Wilcox is currently with the England squad on their short tour of Hong Kong and China after turning in a superb display on his international debut against Hungary last week.

"He did very well," added Foster. "But that's Jason all over. He is one of the best players in the country in his position. When you consider we have played more than a dozen players in his role - none to any real affect - it just shows how much we have missed him."

Terry Venables has made nine changes from the side that beat Hungary 3-0 at Wembley for the China clash. It means Wilcox must sit it out but there is a welcome return for Tim Flowers and Alan Shearer.

For Shearer it means a rapid return after surgery for a groin injury just five weeks ago and follows a surprise appearance as substitute at Wembley against Hungary. Now the ace marksman has an ideal opportunity to end his England goal drought.

Said Foster: "To be honest Alan's operation was only very minor. But saying that it is always a bit worrying when a player makes his return. I sure he will be fine though."

Meanwhile Rovers Scottish trio of Colin Hendry, Kevin Gallacher and Billy McKinlay are all in America for Scotland's games against the national side and Colombia.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.