Number of caps: 1 It still happens, even now. If an Englishman is on form outside of the Premier League then there will be those who will call for them to be given a chance at international level. If you ever need a simple, two word response to shut down that argument, just respond with: David Nugent. The striker was impressing in the Championship for Preston North End and, ever the populist, Steve McClaren heeded the calls for the tricky striker to be given a shot with England. Never mind that he had never played in his country's top division, or that his highest tally of league goals in the second tier at that point was 11 (Nugent would end the 2006/07 season with 15), he was ready. Or so McClaren thought, anyway. Nugent came on as a subsitute against Andorra during England's doomed attempt to qualify for Euro 2008. He even found the net, although it wasn't exactly Barnes at the Maracana - Nugent netted in an open goal, tapping in from the goal line (even though Defoe's shot was already going in). Amazingly, that selfish action did not earn the striker another call up. Still, 1 cap, 1 goal. Can't really argue with that record.
David is an office drone and freelance writer for WhatCulture and Moviepilot, among others. He's also foolishly writing a serialised novel on Jukepop and has his own irregularly updated website. He's available for freelance work. Reach out on Twitter to @davefox990
