ANDY Johnson believes Fulham strike partner Bobby Zamora can force his way into England’s World Cup squad.

Johnson is expected to make his first start since early October in today’s FA Cup third-round tie against Swindon Town after recovering from a groin injury.

In his absence Zamora has thrived as Fulham’s main forward, taking his goalscoring tally for the season to 11 and winning universal approval for his outstanding form.

The 28-year-old has been identified as an outside bet to make Fabio Capello’s squad for South Africa and former England striker Johnson understands why.

‘‘I can definitely see Bobby Zamora playing for England.

Fabio Capello has always said he picks players in form,’’ he said.

‘‘In the role that Bobby performs, there’s no one in better form at the moment.

‘‘There are two other players fighting for that place – Emile Heskey and Peter Crouch. Bobby is the third one.

‘‘If he continues doing what he’s doing – scoring and playing the way he does – he has a great chance of making it.’’ Johnson became Fulham’s star striker following his £10.5m arrival from Everton in August 2008, but Zamora has stolen the limelight this season.

Just a month ago the welltravelled former West Ham marksman was a subject of jeering from his own fans, but Johnson insists he has now silenced his critics.

‘‘Bobby has been fantastic.

He’s taken a lot of stick but I don’t think people really saw what he gave to the team before he was scoring,’’ he said.

‘‘Now that he is scoring, people are starting to realise that maybe they were too harsh on him.

‘‘Bobby has always been confident in his ability and is a top, top player.

‘‘He’s one of the most technical players at our club and that’s shining through now.

I’m happy to see him scoring.’’ Johnson has often been a frustrated bystander as Fulham have climbed to ninth in the Barclays Premier league, qualified for the knockout stages of the Europa League and thrashed Manchester United 3-0.