13 November 2013
Captain Steven Gerrard and defender Kyle Walker will miss England's friendly against Chile at Wembley on Friday because of minor injuries.
Midfielder Gerrard, 33, aggravated a hip injury in Liverpool's win over Fulham, while Spurs right-back Walker missed England training on Wednesday.
But Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard, who had been feeling unwell, trained with his international team-mates.
Michael Carrick, 32, and Danny Welbeck have already withdrawn from the squad.
The Manchester United duo have Achilles and knee injuries respectively and will also miss the friendly against Germany on Tuesday.
Welbeck, 22, who has scored eight goals in 20 appearances for his country, was named in the squad despite not having played since 19 October.
The absence of Gerrard and Carrick, combined with Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere's continuing recovery from an ankle injury, increases the chances of a debut for Southampton's Adam Lallana.
Gerrard had hoped to be fit for the Chile match, describing the injury as "a bit of a niggle" after being withdrawn 66 minutes into Liverpool's 4-0 defeat of Fulhamon Saturday.
Walker, who played the full 90 minutes as Spurs lost 1-0 to Newcastle on Sunday, is struggling with an unspecified injury and, along with Gerrard and striker Daniel Sturridge, the 23-year-old went through a recovery session away from the rest of the England squad on Wednesday.
But Liverpool's Sturridge, who has been nursing a foot injury, could still feature against Chile.
England's preparations for the two friendlies had already been disrupted by the need to switch basesafter a stomach bug alert at the site of the National Football Centre.
The senior side met up in Watford on Tuesday, rather than their usual home in Staffordshire, as a precautionary measure.
Meanwhile Southampton striker Rickie Lambert says reported comments from Chile attacker Alexis Sanchez have done England's team-talk for them.
Barcelona's Sanchez, who had a tough upbringing, told the Daily Express that England players were "soft" because of their pampered lifestyles.
Lambert said: "You can't really buy motivation like that to be honest."
Manchester City plan to buy a new defender in January. Manuel Pellegrini's side have struggled without injured captain Vincent Kompany in recent weeks.
Malaga have told former boss Pellegrini that they are not interested in selling goalkeeper Willy Caballero, 32, and midfielder Sergi Darder, 19, to City.
Chelsea midfielder Ramires, 26, says he has little interest in a proposed transfer to Real Madrid.
Borussia Dortmund are still keen on signing Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko, 27, but do not want to spend more than £15m in replacing Bayern Munich-bound forward Robert Lewandowski.
Midfielder Michael Carrick, 32, is close to signing a two-year contract extension with Manchester United.
But Carrick could be sidelined until Christmas after receiving an injection to resolve a persistent Achilles tendon injury.
England boss Roy Hodgson thinks an African team has more chance of winning next year's World Cup in Brazil than a European side because of the climate.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says Raheem Sterling's senior England debut last year against Sweden came too early. The 18-year-old is currently in Gareth Southgate's Under-21 squad.
Southampton midfielder Adam Lallana, 23, and forward Jay Rodriguez, 24, could make their England debuts against Chile on Friday after an injury to Michael Carrick and an agreement that Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere will used in one of England's two games. Roy Hodgson's side also face Germany on Tuesday.
Barcelona and Chile striker Alexis Sanchez, 24, says England's footballers are too soft and that Roy Hodgson's side have no chance of winning the World Cup in Brazil next year.
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish flew out to Russia on Tuesday to hold talks with Dinamo Moscow head coach and former Chelsea defender Dan Petrescu about becoming the Eagles boss.
But former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen is also in negotiations with Palace after the Dutchman turned down an opportunity to work in Qatar.
Roberto Di Matteo, 43, is still being paid £130,000 a week by Chelsea, despite being sacked as manager 12 months ago. The Italian was unable to reach a settlement after being dismissed last November, and will continue to receive the money until June 2014 unless he takes another job.
The Premier League is close to agreeing that the 2022 World Cup could be switched to November and December, according to Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke.
German coach Jochim Loew, 52, says his country's best young players gained confidence and trust by receiving more playing time at Bundesliga clubs.
Full story: The Times(subscription required)
Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley, 28, hopes to sign a new contract with the club after being reintegrated into the first team under new head coach Gus Poyet.
AND FINALLY
West Bromwich Albion's kit man joked that he is considering sending the team out for their next match against Chelsea in Mickey Mouse ears after Blue boss Jose Mourinho allegedly called Baggies defender Jonas Olsson a "Mickey Mouse player".
Full story: Daily Telegraph
Brooklyn Beckham's ongoing trial at Fulham was set up by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho. Mourinho's son is already at the club as a goalkeeper, and he helped former England captain David Beckham organise the trial for his 14-year-old son.
Pls do have your say on these stories
No comments:
Post a Comment