Players back ‘keeper Green; coach not so sure

RUSTENBURG, South Africa -- England's players rallied around Robert Green, while coach Fabio Capello contemplated whether to drop the goalkeeper who cost them a World Cup win against the United States.

Green fumbled Clint Dempsey's low 25-yard shot into the goal, leaving England with one point heading into Friday's second Group C match against Algeria.

"We have time to decide and to speak with (Green) and I will decide," Capello said Sunday.

England's first rest day since arriving in South Africa turned out to be one for reflection, but Green said the blunder wouldn't affect him psychologically.

"I'm 30, I'm a man, and you have hardships in life," Green said Saturday night. "I'm strong enough to move on. At a younger point in my life it would have affected me more."

David James, the squad's veteran goalkeeper who has been struggling with knee problems since arriving in South Africa, backed his teammate.

"Mistakes happen in goalkeeping, and Rob Green made a great save (from Jozy Altidore) in the second half to keep us at 1-1," the 39-year-old James said. "A mistake like that should stay with you for just two minutes."

Midfielder Frank Lampard also stood up for Green, saying "no one will be pointing the finger" at him.

"It is unfortunate for keepers," Lampard said. "They are the last line and, when they make a bit of a (mistake), it gets picked out."

Green will now have to wait for Capello to make his decision on a starter for the match against Algeria, which lost to Slovenia 1-0 in its opener. That result put Slovenia atop Group C, ahead of both England and the United States.

Wayne Rooney's position up front will not be under threat despite his failing to score for a sixth game.