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England squad plagued by injuries prior to Euro 2004 qualifier match
Manchester, Sep 03: Steven Gerrard and Trevor Sinclair have pulled out of England`s squad for the Euro 2004 qualifier in Macedonia.
Manchester, Sep 03: Steven Gerrard and Trevor Sinclair have pulled out of England's squad for the Euro 2004 qualifier in Macedonia.
Midfielders Steven Gerrard and Trevor Sinclair have pulled out of Saturday's match due to injury, coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said on Tuesday (September 2).
Eriksson told a news conference that Liverpool's Gerrard had an ankle injury and Sinclair of Manchester City had a swollen knee.
England, who have never lost a game that Gerrard has started, might have both players fit for next Wednesday's home Group Seven qualifier against Liechtenstein.
With midfielder Paul Scholes already ruled out of both games due to a hernia problem, Gerrard's absence is a major blow for England before the game in Skopje.
Eriksson is also hoping that yet another of his first-choice midfielders, skipper David Beckham, comes through Real Madrid's league game against Villarreal unscathed on Tuesday.
"Let's hope he's coming back tomorrow fit, we need him," said the Swede.
Manchester United central defender Rio Ferdinand, who has a kidney problem, will be assessed on Wednesday, Eriksson said, adding that Birmingham defender Matthew Upson had been called into his squad as cover.
The injuries will force Eriksson to field an experimental midfield, with Beckham and Nicky Butt likely to be joined by Kieron Dyer and Frank Lampard, who both impressed the England manager in last month's 3-1 friendly win over Croatia.
Other alternatives would be Owen Hargreaves, Joe Cole or Danny Murphy, though none of the possible replacements have the proven international pedigree of Scholes and Gerrard.
"It's a pity of course that they can't play but we have to go there and try to win anyhow," Eriksson said. "We have players, but you know as well as I do that Paul Scholes and Steven Gerrard they are extremely important players.
"Today, I'm not sure what kind of line-up we will have on Saturday."
Eriksson also renewed a call from the Football Association, which is not be using England's ticket allocation at the Skopje game, for supporters not to travel to Macedonia.
The FA is anxious to avoid any further problems with its fans after UEFA warned that England could be kicked out of Euro 2004 if there were a repeat of the crowd trouble that marred April's home win over Turkey.
England are second in Group Seven on 13 points from five games, two points behind Turkey, who have played a game more and who host Eriksson's side in their final qualifier next month.
One of the two sides will qualify for the finals, with the runners-up going into the playoffs for a place in next year's tournament in Portugal.
Bureau Report
Eriksson is also hoping that yet another of his first-choice midfielders, skipper David Beckham, comes through Real Madrid's league game against Villarreal unscathed on Tuesday.
"Let's hope he's coming back tomorrow fit, we need him," said the Swede.
Manchester United central defender Rio Ferdinand, who has a kidney problem, will be assessed on Wednesday, Eriksson said, adding that Birmingham defender Matthew Upson had been called into his squad as cover.
The injuries will force Eriksson to field an experimental midfield, with Beckham and Nicky Butt likely to be joined by Kieron Dyer and Frank Lampard, who both impressed the England manager in last month's 3-1 friendly win over Croatia.
Other alternatives would be Owen Hargreaves, Joe Cole or Danny Murphy, though none of the possible replacements have the proven international pedigree of Scholes and Gerrard.
"It's a pity of course that they can't play but we have to go there and try to win anyhow," Eriksson said. "We have players, but you know as well as I do that Paul Scholes and Steven Gerrard they are extremely important players.
"Today, I'm not sure what kind of line-up we will have on Saturday."
Eriksson also renewed a call from the Football Association, which is not be using England's ticket allocation at the Skopje game, for supporters not to travel to Macedonia.
The FA is anxious to avoid any further problems with its fans after UEFA warned that England could be kicked out of Euro 2004 if there were a repeat of the crowd trouble that marred April's home win over Turkey.
England are second in Group Seven on 13 points from five games, two points behind Turkey, who have played a game more and who host Eriksson's side in their final qualifier next month.
One of the two sides will qualify for the finals, with the runners-up going into the playoffs for a place in next year's tournament in Portugal.
Bureau Report