Injury headache for Eriksson over Terry, Gerrard
Sven-Goran Eriksson will assess the fitness of John Terry and Steven Gerrard when the England squad join up today ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Wales and Northern Ireland.
Terry sustained a knee problem during Chelsea's victory at Tottenham on Saturday, with Blues boss Jose Mourinho revealing most other players would have gone off injured.
However, Terry battled on and the Chelsea captain's recuperative powers are such that he will make every effort to be fit for Saturday's game in Cardiff.
Gerrard is also hopeful of winning his fitness battle for that game, having missed the Super Cup in Monaco last Friday to rest his calf injury, while Shaun Wright-Phillips is another concern.
Eriksson revealed: 'John Terry, Steven Gerrard and Shaun Wright-Phillips are in the squad but we have to check whether they are fully fit on Tuesday.'
The England medical staff were therefore expected to assess the trio's fitness on their arrival at the squad's hotel near St Albans, and they may be rested from this afternoon's first training session.
If Terry is ruled out, then Eriksson, who is already without Sol Campbell and Ledley King, could turn to Jamie Carragher or Matthew Upson to partner Rio Ferdinand.
Liverpool midfielder Gerrard could be replaced by either Owen Hargreaves or Michael Carrick in a central holding role.
Otherwise, the England coach's biggest decision over the next few days will be in deciding between Phil Neville and Carragher as emergency right-backs in the absence of Gary Neville through injury.
The decision could be crucial, especially if Ryan Giggs is used on the left flank by Wales, with Eriksson rating the Manchester United winger as the main danger man.
'He's always dangerous, whether he plays on the flank or behind one or two strikers. He's the most experienced player they have, while John Hartson is always dangerous from set-pieces and high crosses. He's a fighter and a goalscorer,' said the Swede.
Above all, Eriksson is determined to ensure that his team's approach is completely different to their 4-1 defeat against Denmark in Copenhagen earlier this month.
Indeed, his players will sit through a 'video nasty' of clips from that game to ensure the harsh lessons of their second-half collapse - which led to David James and Glen Johnson losing their places in the squad - are learned.
'Wales will be very aggressive and it will be a difficult game. It's a derby, we will have to play very good football but we must also have the right attitude,' stressed Eriksson.
'I think that will be absolutely right though. If not, then something is really wrong.
'Every time that England go out on the pitch, three points are expected. I suppose we are big favourites to win both of these games but you have to live with those very high expectations.'
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Robert Green is eagerly anticipating the two fixtures and is confident of positive results.
Green, who is in the squad along with Chris Kirkland and first-choice keeper Paul Robinson, told the Eastern Daily Press: 'They are two huge games and if we could get a couple of wins I think we would be looking good, even though Poland are also going well at the moment.
'This is an exciting time to be involved in the England set-up and I can't wait for the games to come around.' |
發表於 2005-8-30 18:42:20
提升卡
置頂卡
沉默卡
喧囂卡
變色å¡
顯身å¡
IP卡
狗仔卡
發表於 2005-8-30 19:32:08
個陣終於有d轉變喇
發表於 2005-8-30 19:32:54
