mattsaunders

A Cole definitely not flying out to Russia
Luke Young called up

mattsaunders

Defender Cole misses Russia match

England left-back Ashley Cole has been ruled out of the Euro 2008 qualifier against Russia in Moscow on Wednesday because he has an ankle injury.

Middlesbrough defender Luke Young, who has seven caps, has been called up to the squad as cover for the 26-year-old.

The full extent of Cole's injury is not known, with the Chelsea player expected to have a scan after he was carried off during the 3-0 win over Estonia.

"He rocked his ankle blocking a shot," said England head coach Steve McClaren.

McClaren must now decide who should replace Cole for a game which would seal England's place at Euro 2008 if they won.

England are already without Chelsea's injured defender Wayne Bridge and Liverpool's Jamie Carragher, who can play at full-back, has retired from international football.

Joleon Lescott, who played at left-back when Cole was taken off, or Reading left-back Nicky Shorey, could replace the former Arsenal man.

Lescott came on against Estonia for Rio Ferdinand, who was taken off as a precaution to avoid picking up a yellow card and being suspended for the game against Russia.

The former Wolves defender started in central defence with Sol Campbell but moved to left-back after Cole was substituted.

England captain John Terry missed the win over Estonia after picking up a knee injury in training last week but is battling to be fit to face Russia.

"He has improved a lot," said McClaren. "We are assessing him daily and hope he will train on Monday.

"But there is a long way to go and he is still a big doubt."

retired_kathydonatto

anyone saying SWP should be in any side ahead of joe cole is either braindead, blind or both.

SWP can only charge head down and hope he can outpace his man, never does anything against half decent teams as he is so one dimensional and has no final ball.

retired_gitfresh

didnt realise the game on Weds was a 4pm kick off :thdn:

mattsaunders

jesus, keep up. if he's called Luke Young into the squad, it's pretty obvious that he's going to shunt Phil Neville to the left and have somebody else on the bench to cover the right.

mattsaunders

Terry returns to England training

England have received a boost after captain John Terry took part in training ahead of the crunch Euro 2008 qualifier in Russia on Wednesday.

The Chelsea centre-back missed the game against Estonia because of a knee injury but joined the other players during Monday's session in Altrincham.

But Chelsea team-mate Ashley Cole has been ruled out with an ankle injury.

Cole, who was carried off in Saturday's win over Estonia, is awaiting a scan to determine the extent of his injury.

Middlesbrough defender Luke Young has been called up as cover, but Phil Neville is expected to take Cole's place in the team.

Terry, who was already playing with a mask to protect a broken cheekbone, picked up a knee problem in training last week.

If Terry is not declared fully fit, Sol Campbell is likely to continue in central defence alongside Rio Ferdinand.

McClaren's other options at left-back are Neville's Everton team-mate Joleon Lescott or Reading left-back Nicky Shorey.

Lescott replaced Ferdinand in the second half on Saturday and played at left-back after Cole's injury but appeared nervous on his international debut.

Shorey is yet to make his competitive debut for England so the versatile Neville is expected to get the nod against Russia because, with 59 caps, he is the more experienced candidate.

England will qualify for Euro 2008 if they beat Russia on Wednesday, while a draw would leave them needing a point from their final game against Croatia at Wembley on 21 November.

McClaren's other selection dilemma involves whether to try to accommodate fit-again Frank Lampard in his side.

Aston Villa's Gareth Barry has performed admirably in midfield alongside Steven Gerrard in Lampard's absence through injury.

Lampard, whose recent international displays have been criticised by some, came on as a substitute against Estonia and was booed by a large group of England fans.

However, McClaren could rejig his midfield to include Lampard, Barry and Gerrard - as he did in the second half on Saturday.

mattsaunders

oh but ffs why?

retired_kathydonatto

oh but ffs why? </BLOCKQUOTE>

dunno, but at least if he is going to play fatty he has at least realised that he needs two other players in there to make up for his glaring deficiencies in the hope he may knick a goal.

mattsaunders

i'd actually take Lampard back at the expense of SWP if they lined up thusly:

Barry ---- Fatty ---- Gerrard ---- J Cole

won't happen though

retired_carribear68

barry in the centre with gerrard on the right &gt; lamps/gerrard teaming up in the middle again