Rangers manager Alex McLeish believes that his England international defender...

Rangers manager Alex McLeish believes that his England international defender Michael Ball is in the kind of form that could earn him an England recall...Long before Wayne Rooney came on the scene, Sven was making regular trips to Goodison Road to see their young English star - at that time it was Ball.

His quality left foot caught Sven's eye and the then Toffee played in the Sven's first game as England Head Coach - the 3-0 victory over Spain.

A big-money move to Rangers and, sadly, a string of injuries followed but Ball has now worked his way back into the Scottish champions' first team and has enjoyed an impressive start to the season.

His long-term knee injury now behind him, his performance against Hearts over the weekend has left McLeish singing his praises.

The Rangers boss said: ``I think Sven-Goran Eriksson did cap him before his injury and his composure and use of the ball is of a standard that tells you he can play at that level but I can`t pick Sven`s team for him.

``He has got good quality with Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge but certainly Bally has staked a claim with his performances against good European opposition and in the SPL.``