Are the Nevilles set for an England recall?

With just three months to go until the World Cup the race to make the plane to South Africa is most definitely on.

For England a mini injury crisis has really opened things up for players who may have thought their international careers were over or that a chance to play at the tournament was beyond their reach.

Two of those players are the Neville brothers, Gary and Phil. Fabio Capello has had to deal with a host of injuries in the full-back positions with Ashley Cole and Wes Brown both out with long-term foot injuries and Glenn Johnson easing his way back after three months on the sidelines. Wayne Bridges' decision to declare himself unavailable after the John Terry scandal has only compounded Capello's troubles.

But in the Nevilles he has an experienced pair of heads who would slot into the side with no trouble. Older brother Gary has 85 caps to his name and his experience would be invaluable. He has come in for criticism this season for his lack of pace and although the 35-year-old isn't as quick as he once was, his recent steady performances, including an excellent game against Liverpool last weekend, have fuelled rumours of a recall and boosted Manchester United's Premier League title hopes.

His younger brother Phil is also enjoying a fruitful run of form. Since leaving Manchester United five years ago the younger Neville has become more accustomed to playing in the midfield, where he displayed his leadership skills as captain. But in recent weeks he has had an extended run back at right-back and has helped Everton recover from their poor start to the season and climb the table - winning seven home games on the spin into the bargain.

With 59 caps to his name Phil also has plenty of experience, along with the added ability of being able to play right across the back four. He has been in the squad for three European Championships in 1996, 2000 and 2004 but has always missed out on playing at a World Cup. He last represented England in October 2007.

It would be a fairytale if one or both of the Nevilles made it to South Africa after effectively conceding in their international careers were over. One thing's for certain - Capello will need to plug those defensive gaps if England are to have any chance of justifying their online World Cup odds.

Indeed, the World Cup is often being in the right place at the right time and with England's injury woes mounting the Nevilles are certainly in the right place.