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Multiple injuries spell hard game for England for Euro 2004 qualifier
Manchester, Sept 04: Injury hit England prepare for their Euro 2004 qualifier against Macedonia.
Manchester, Sept 04: Injury hit England prepare for their Euro 2004 qualifier against Macedonia.
Speaking at an England press conference on Wednesday (September 3) England striker Michael Owen said he was expecting a hard game against Macedonia on Saturday.
"They've stopped us from having a hundred percent record in the group and they gave Turkey a right run for their money the other day, I think they were two nil up, they lost 3-2 in the end anyway," said Owen. "They're certainly a decent side and anyone, it doesn't matter who, anyone away from home in international football is a tough game but these seem to be one of the tougher teams in the group."
England will face Macedonia without central defender Rio Ferdinand, whose kidney complaint has forced him to join a long list of players who will miss the tie.
Ferdinand's fitness will be assessed again over the weekend to determine whether he can play in next Wednesday's Group Seven qualifier against Liechtenstein at Old Trafford.
Ferdinand's is the latest in a string of injury setbacks for England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson. Paul Scholes has been ruled out of both games, while fellow midfielders Steven Gerrard (ankle) and Trevor Sinclair (knee) are both unavailable for Saturday's game in Skopje at least.
Ferdinand's place alongside Sol Campbell in central defence is likely to go to Chelsea's John Terry.
Eriksson also has doubts over captain David Beckham after the midfielder sustained a groin problem after playing for Real Madrid on Tuesday against Villarreal in the Spanish league.
Beckham, who is hopeful of being fit, was due to meet up with the England squad later on Wednesday in Manchester -- where he had played all his club football for United before joining Real in the close season.
Another England midfielder, Newcastle's Kieron Dyer, trained separately on Wednesday as he battles a hamstring problem.
England's injury crisis means that players like Chelsea's Frank Lampard will be able to stake a claim for a place in the team.
"As you say, I've been knocking on the door and trying to get in to the starting line-up," Lampard said. "I'm sure this week those two injuries, they're big players for us, will open the door for one or two players who haven't played regularly to go in and make an impression, I'd love to be one of them."
England lie second in their group, two points behind Turkey, who have played a game more and who host Eriksson's side next month in their last qualifier.
Bureau Report
Ferdinand's is the latest in a string of injury setbacks for England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson. Paul Scholes has been ruled out of both games, while fellow midfielders Steven Gerrard (ankle) and Trevor Sinclair (knee) are both unavailable for Saturday's game in Skopje at least.
Ferdinand's place alongside Sol Campbell in central defence is likely to go to Chelsea's John Terry.
Eriksson also has doubts over captain David Beckham after the midfielder sustained a groin problem after playing for Real Madrid on Tuesday against Villarreal in the Spanish league.
Beckham, who is hopeful of being fit, was due to meet up with the England squad later on Wednesday in Manchester -- where he had played all his club football for United before joining Real in the close season.
Another England midfielder, Newcastle's Kieron Dyer, trained separately on Wednesday as he battles a hamstring problem.
England's injury crisis means that players like Chelsea's Frank Lampard will be able to stake a claim for a place in the team.
"As you say, I've been knocking on the door and trying to get in to the starting line-up," Lampard said. "I'm sure this week those two injuries, they're big players for us, will open the door for one or two players who haven't played regularly to go in and make an impression, I'd love to be one of them."
England lie second in their group, two points behind Turkey, who have played a game more and who host Eriksson's side next month in their last qualifier.
Bureau Report