Manchester City captain Richard Dunne has backed calls for an England recall for teammate Michael Ball.

Dunne told City's website: "The way Michael's going at the moment, and if everyone is starting with a clean slate as far as Fabio Capello is concerned, he has to be in with a great shout of getting back in the England squad.

"A lot of people around the country will not have seen him with him playing for Rangers and with PSV in Holland, but every day in training he's a top player, you cannot get around him. He's a typical, strong defender but he is also very comfortable on the ball.

"I think that a few people who knew Bally & myself when we were younger would be surprised at what we are doing now. He's been a brilliant defender ever since I have known him, when we were about 15 or so."