England and Scotland crippled by injuries ahead of the International break
England and Scotland have been blighted by injury problems ahead of this week’s international friendlies. Scotland are looking much worse off than their neighbours, as they nearly have all their first choice players injured. England meanwhile have had some last minute withdrawals.
Scotland Manager Craig Levein has a real challenge on his hands, as no less than nine players have withdrawn from the squad for a variety of reasons, ahead of their match against the Faroe Islands in Pittodrie on Tuesday.
The Ex Dundee and Hearts boss had already made up a few changes to the squad, which is missing the likes of Lee McCulloch, Allan McGregor and Kenny Miller.
But the manager received a rude shock last night after the Scottish Football Association announced that Chris Burke (Groin), Christophe Berra (knee), Gary Caldwell (thigh), Alan Hutton (groin), Matt Gilks (knee), Steven Naismith, James Morrison (knee), Graham Dorrans (foot), (shoulder) and Steven Whittaker (knee) have all withdrawn themselves from the team.
It is a dire situation for the Scots, but they have called in Celtic’s Shaun Maloney, Wigan’s Steven Caldwell, Dundee’s Garry Kenneth, Blackpool’s Stephen Carney, Craig Bryson of Kilmanrock and Middlesbrough’s Barry Robson for the squad as replacements for the injured players.
Although the squad is still a few players short, the SFA has said that more players will be added once their availability is confirmed.
England rocked by late injuries
For the English three lions the situation is not as grave as their nieghbours but yet it is not the ones they would like themselves to be in.
On Saturday afternoon Fabio Capello surprised all and sundry when he handed Chris Smalling, Jay Bothroyd, Andy Carrol and Jordan Henderson their first ever call ups for international duty.
Capello handed the four players their first opportunity, as he chose youth over experience for their friendly match against France at Wembley.
But the situation suddenly changed yesterday, as two of Capello’s defensive stalwarts, John Terry and Ashley Cole withdrew from the squad due to injury. Gabriel Agbonlahor was also forced to pull out, while Newcastle forward Andy Carrol remains a doubt.
In the absence of Gabriel Agbonlahor West Ham’s Carlton Cole has been added to the squad while Andy Carrol is being monitored closely.
The biggest setback for the England manager is the loss of John Terry, who also missed Chelsea’s 3-0 against Sunderland at Stamford Bridge.
According to reports Terry is suffering from a nerve problem in his right leg.
Ashley Cole’s injury is not yet known, while Agbonlahor is suffering from an ankle injury he picked up in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Villa Park.
Ashley Cole was one of the few positives in an England side that was humiliated at the World Cup in South Africa and his absence means that Arsenal’s Kieron Gibbs will be making his debut for the three lions on Wednesday.
Stephen Warnock or Gary Cahill may play alongside Rio Ferdinand at the heart of defence since both men have been called up to the squad.
The initial squad as announced by Capello on Saturday is : Goal-keepers, Ben Foster (Birmingham), Joe Hart (Man City), Robert Green (West Ham); Defenders, Kieron Gibbs (Arsenal), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), John Terry (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Joleon Lescott (Man City), Micah Richards (Man City), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), Chris Smalling (Man Utd); Midfield, Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Man City), Adam Johnson (Man City), James Milner (Man City), Jordan Henderson (Sunderland); Strikers, Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Jay Bothroyd (Cardiff), Andy Carroll (Newcastle), Peter Crouch (Tottenham).
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