Should he stay, should he go?

By Andy Schooler, Sportinglife.com

INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCE

Both of these players have limited experience at international level.

It is Carragher who has the more caps at seven, including two starts in the friendlies with Holland and Sweden. Mills has three, all as sub.

A factor which could count in Carragher's favour is his record number of Under-21 caps which have given him a flavour of the international game.

But we all know there are plenty of players who have failed to reproduce form at that level in the senior game and neither has produced anything outstanding or horrendous to stick in Sven-Goran Eriksson's mind as yet on that score.

On performances in the nation's white shirt, there really is nothing to separate them, both requiring another chance before a final decision can be made.

CARRAGHER: 7/10. MILLS: 7/10.

FORM THIS SEASON

Unfortunately, the one thing that sticks out in the mind about these two players this season has been disciplinary problems.

Carragher found himself in hot water with both officials and the police when he hurled a coin which had been thrown at him back into the crowd at Arsenal in January.

And Mills has had plenty of run-ins with the Premiership's referees having already been sent off twice this season.

As far as pure football is concerned, it was Mills who was impressing at the start of the season as he formed part of a rock-solid Leeds backline.

Even though Leeds have failed to build on that fine autumn run, he is by no means a weak link at Elland Road, although one cause for concern is Mills' abiltiy to produce the stupid which has resulted in those dismissals.

Although Carragher has also been playing a side which has conceded few goals, the 24-year-old has not always looked at home.

Usually standing in for Markus Babbel, Carragher was been criticised in some quarters for not matching up to the standards the German set last season.

But he has also been asked to play in other positions such as left-back and in midfield at times which cannot have helped build his confidence.

Still, you have to feel Mills has been the more consistent performer this season and he just edges this category.

CARRAGHER: 7/10. MILLS: 8/10.

PACE

With a player like Mills in their ranks, it is no surprise to see them play with plenty of width.

Mills can use his speed to get down the right flank, often overlapping and linking up with Lee Bowyer in attacks.

It is a vital part of his side's game and one in which his pace plays a major part.

But it is not simply his eye-catching forward runs that make him stand out as a speedy competitor.

You rarely see him done for pace at the other end where he has kept the quickest of forwards in his pocket.

Pace is not a major weakness in the Carragher game, but he is not as quick as Mills. He is more of a player who will have to make his presence felt alongside an attacker with a shoulder challenge and a hustle-bustle approach.

Although Mills does have a 'dirty' reputation, that does not come from rash, last-resort challenges and it is he who again come out on top here.

CARRAGHER: 7/10. MILLS: 8/10.

AERIAL ABILITY

With their versitility, both players have improved their aerial game over the past couple of seasons.

Mills has often been called upon to fill a position in the centre of defence where anyone who can't head well is soon found out, but his aerial game has certainly been up to the challenge.

It withstood the best in Europe last season in the Champions League and cannot be criticised.

Carragher, two inches taller at 6'1", has also been moved around at both club and international level, including occupying midfield roles where heading battles are also commonplace.

Likewise, he has not let anyone down in the air.

There is little between them in this category. Mills' centre-back experiences may count in his favour come May, but we'll keep them level, both players scoring highly.

CARRAGHER: 8/10. MILLS: 8/10.

DISTRIBUTION

As already explained, Mills' forays forward are a big part of his game.

He is quite capable of linking play with the midfield and forwards at Leeds who often include Lee Bowyer, a player who could also be in the England squad come May.

Still, he is not a passer in Rio Ferdinand's class and, like many a defender, can resort to hitting a long ball forward more in hope than expectation.

Carragher's midfield experience gives him a slight edge in this department.

Clearly he feels at home on the ball, a trait which gives him plenty of time to seek out his options.

OPTA stats back Carragher as being a better passer and he gains some ground back in this category.

CARRAGHER: 8/10. MILLS: 7/10.

POSITIONAL SENSE

Mills is rarely caught out at the back and his positional sense is generally spot on.

He certainly comes across as the more natural defender and despite having an impressive attacking side to his game, doesn't neglect his defensive duties, a criticism which has fallen on several of his peers such as Ashley Cole at Arsenal.

Carragher's game has become more based on a hard-work ethic and a determination to succeed.

He will fight opponents every step of the way, never intentionally giving an inch, but does have the occasional lapse, a fact which has helped bring the unfavourable comparisons with Babbel.

It is this factor that means Mills extends his lead over the Liverpool man.

CARRAGHER 7/10. MILLS 8/10.

TOTALS: CARRAGHER 44 MILLS 46.

SPORTINGLIFE.COM VERDICT:

Mills seems more at home at the back and looks to have the edge on Carragher as the race for a squad place intensifies.

But the main battle may still lie ahead as the title run-in unfolds.

Anyone playing in a rock-solid defence come May will have confidence high and also be in the spotlight for Sven's selection.

However, at present, Mills leads the way on pure defensive ability.

Both are versatile characters, capable of filling other slots in the back four, although if Eriksson also wants someone to add midfield cover - which would give him options elsewhere in the squad - Carragher could be his man.

With Gary Neville looking like the first-choice right-back, there also seems no doubt that one of them will miss out.

One danger for Mills has to be his run-ins with the officials.

The last thing Eriksson will want in the stifling heat of the Far East is going down to ten men and the fact is Mills' track record shows he is more likely to be sent off than most players.

Carragher is more depenable on that score, but will it be enough to convince the man in charge to overlook other factors?