10 Footballers You Totally Forgot Played For England
2. David Nugent
About once a decade due to an outlandish run of form or a particularly debilitating injury crisis a player gets plucked from the Championship to represent England. Few would begrudge David Nugent's moment in the sun - unless their name was Jermain Defoe. On 19 March 2007, Nugent was called up by Steve McClaren to replace an injured Darren Bent. Nine days later he was on the pitch, subbed on for the final ten minutes of a Euro 2007 qualifying match against Andorra.
As the game went into injury time England were 2-0 ahead. Jermain Defoe hooked a right footed strike under the Andorran goalkeeper. The ball was caught under the goalie's body but continued towards the goal at a slow pace. Seizing his opportunity, Nugent toe poked it over the line, despite the fact it was going in regardless. Defoe raised his hand in victory and celebrated with Steven Gerrard but the goal would go down in history as belonging to the Nuge. One game, one goal!
In the BBC's post-match interview, Nugent was clearly thrilled, unable to stop grinning throughout with a look of genuine joy on his face.
What happened next? You've guessed it! He was never picked again.