INTERVIEW

Tuesday, October 5, 12:18am London Time
Wise awaits freeze as he comes in from England cold
By Nigel Clarke


For three-and-a-half years Dennis Wise has waited and wondered if he would ever play for his country again. Then, on Friday, the spitfire Chelsea skipper was named in Kevin Keegan's squad for the friendly international against Belgium at Sunderland on Sunday.

In sight was his first cap since Hungary, prior to the 1996 European Championships. Wise could scarcely contain his delight.

But, on Sunday, he was involved in a clash with Nicky Butt that led to the Manchester United player being sent off for retaliation.

Amid the angry scene that followed more than one finger of accusation was pointed Wise's way when he was cautioned only by referee Dermot Gallagher.

First, he had gone in high on Butt, and then when the two lay on the pitch, appeared to pinch the United player on the inside of his thigh. Butt furiously climbed to his feet and kneed Wise in the side.

That it happened under the nose of the official meant instant retribution which clearly angered the United players, including David Beckham and Paul Scholes.

It may well have been no more than a mischievious gesture by Wise, and he would not have wanted Butt dismissed, but the United midfield man also runs on a short fuse.

Last night, Wise reported to the England headquarters at Burnham Beeches to meet up with the squad which included Beckham, Scholes and Phil Neville.

The three United stars will be his colleagues for the next six days if not companions. There might be uncomfortable moments ahead.

Wise is the player that United boss Alex Ferguson once claimed could start an argument in an empty room. He might well need his abrasive sense of humour to help retrieve the situation.

He was an integral part of the Chelsea midfield which eclipsed United but it is no coincidence that the return of the inspirational Gustavo Poyet has sparked a genuine belief that Chelsea can bring the League title back to Stamford Bridge after almost half a century.

The Uruguayan midfielder was the catalyst in the 5-0 decimation of Manchester United which offered conclusive proof Chelsea have evolved from pretenders into Premiership contenders.

Poyet, whose two goals installed him as the club's leading scorer this season, has fully recovered from the groin injury which sidelined him for three weeks and said: 'I hope the win against Manchester United has shown the nation we can win the title. Everybody here is convinced we can do it. We just have to be consistent.

'Everybody knew it was time to beat Manchester United but nobody thought we could win like that. It was important for the win after the disappointment of losing against Watford and Hertha Berlin.'

Victory over United gave Gianluca Vialli's side the perfect start to a month in which Liverpool, Galatasaray, Arsenal and AC Milan must also be tackled.