Gary Cahill's World Cup dream in the balance after poor Pompey display

Gary Cahill has put his England World Cup hopes at risk – after a costly mistake in front of England spy Franco Baldini.

Bolton defender Cahill was watched by Fabio Capello’s right-hand man as he slipped up and let ­Portsmouth grab a point in their game on Saturday.

Cahill’s hopes of making the squad are still alive after he recovered from a blood clot problem, but he is now locked in a tussle with Tottenham’s Michael Dawson to fill the slot as cover for the senior defenders, Rio Ferdinand and John Terry.

Baldini checked on both at the weekend and Capello is set to run the rule against them in head-to-head action at White Hart Lane next Saturday.

Cahill has been in England squads before but Capello wants to see his current form – and fitness – with time running out for the hopefuls and narrow margins between them.