Exclusive: Zamora to get England chance after surgery

Bobby Zamora is set to be included in the next England squad after successful surgery to cure his Achilles problem.

Fulham striker Zamora, 29, had a brilliant season last term scoring 19 goals to help fire the Cottagers to the Europa League final.

But the marksman finished the season in agony due to his Achilles and needed injections to play as Fulham lost to Atletico Madrid in Europe.

His persistent nagging injury meant Zamora was unable to accept Fabio Capello's invitation to join his provisional England World Cup squad.

But Zamora has since had a successful operation to scrape scar tissue off his troubled Achilles tendon, going under the knife in late May and resting for six weeks over the summer.

He has now returned to pre-season training fully fit after playing in the club's last two friendlies - including getting on the score-sheet against Bournemouth.

Now Capello is set on finally handing the forward his international debut against Hungary at Wembley on Wednesday August 11.

Capello intends to blood new players after England's World Cup flop in South Africa.

And long-term England targetman Emile Heskey, 32, has now retired from playing for his country.

It creates a void in the England squad upfront which Capello believes Zamora is the best candidate to fill.

Zamora's imminent international debut will mark a huge turnaround in fortunes since being offloaded by West Ham to Fulham for £4.8million in July 2008.

Zamora also hopes to pen a new lucrative contract at Fulham once Roy Hodgson's successor as manager is appointed.

But he continues to attract interest from rival Premier League clubs including Birmingham City.