Post by Salem6 on Apr 28, 2004 10:37:45 GMT
By Ken Dyer, Evening Standard
28 April 2004
Sol Campbell has given England a massive fitness boost but there are serious concerns there will be more injuries due to the relentless fixture schedule in the run-up to Euro 2004.
Sven-Goran Eriksson's righthand man and closest ally, Tord Grip, believes the problems could seriously undermine England's chances of success in the tournament.
Grip and Eriksson are particularly concerned with the problems at the heart of England's defence. Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand is banned while Gareth Southgate and Jonathan Woodgate are both out for the rest of the season with injuries.
There are fresh problems with Ledley King and continuing speculation that Sir Alex Ferguson will not allow Wes Brown to play this summer because he needs a football free summer after a series of injuries.
However, there was good news on Campbell following doubts about his fitness due to a persistent groin problem.
"We talked to the physiotherapist on Monday and it's much better news," Grip said. "It looks as though Sol will be okay. At the moment it looks like Sol and John Terry are the only two who are certain to be fit.
"Ledley King, for example, has done very well but he is another player who is not completely fit. His club have told me about his problems and, although he played well against Arsenal on Sunday, he was not moving as freely as he normally does. We will have to see how he is.
"In addition, two more players at Newcastle, Jermaine Jenas and Kieron Dyer, are both out injured while we have now learned that Aston Villa striker Darius Vassell's season is over because of hamstring problems.
"It is a worry for us but it is not unexpected. We have some statistics following an investigation into the fitness of players from different countries.
"They found that players in England - after Christmas - have more injuries than their counterparts from other countries because of the fixture schedule."
However, Grip ruled out the possibility of delaying the announcement of the England squad. "We are due to name a 23-man squad on 17 May and we will stick to that," the 66-year-old coach said.
"Because of injuries, I would say we are looking at a list of 30 players. There are some who we want to watch carefully between now and the end of the season."
One of those fringe players is certain to be Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe, particularly following the injury to Vassell.
"We have been very impressed with him. He is very close." said Grip.
Although he's out for the rest of the domestic season, Middlesbrough's Southgate has not given up on being fit in time for Portugal.
The former Crystal Palace and Aston Villa defender is recovering from a torn medial knee ligament but said: "I had the identical injury before Euro '96 and I had slightly less time to recover.
"I made it in time though and I am optimistic I will be fit this time as well."
www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/euro2004/articles/10467050?source=Evening
28 April 2004
Sol Campbell has given England a massive fitness boost but there are serious concerns there will be more injuries due to the relentless fixture schedule in the run-up to Euro 2004.
Sven-Goran Eriksson's righthand man and closest ally, Tord Grip, believes the problems could seriously undermine England's chances of success in the tournament.
Grip and Eriksson are particularly concerned with the problems at the heart of England's defence. Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand is banned while Gareth Southgate and Jonathan Woodgate are both out for the rest of the season with injuries.
There are fresh problems with Ledley King and continuing speculation that Sir Alex Ferguson will not allow Wes Brown to play this summer because he needs a football free summer after a series of injuries.
However, there was good news on Campbell following doubts about his fitness due to a persistent groin problem.
"We talked to the physiotherapist on Monday and it's much better news," Grip said. "It looks as though Sol will be okay. At the moment it looks like Sol and John Terry are the only two who are certain to be fit.
"Ledley King, for example, has done very well but he is another player who is not completely fit. His club have told me about his problems and, although he played well against Arsenal on Sunday, he was not moving as freely as he normally does. We will have to see how he is.
"In addition, two more players at Newcastle, Jermaine Jenas and Kieron Dyer, are both out injured while we have now learned that Aston Villa striker Darius Vassell's season is over because of hamstring problems.
"It is a worry for us but it is not unexpected. We have some statistics following an investigation into the fitness of players from different countries.
"They found that players in England - after Christmas - have more injuries than their counterparts from other countries because of the fixture schedule."
However, Grip ruled out the possibility of delaying the announcement of the England squad. "We are due to name a 23-man squad on 17 May and we will stick to that," the 66-year-old coach said.
"Because of injuries, I would say we are looking at a list of 30 players. There are some who we want to watch carefully between now and the end of the season."
One of those fringe players is certain to be Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe, particularly following the injury to Vassell.
"We have been very impressed with him. He is very close." said Grip.
Although he's out for the rest of the domestic season, Middlesbrough's Southgate has not given up on being fit in time for Portugal.
The former Crystal Palace and Aston Villa defender is recovering from a torn medial knee ligament but said: "I had the identical injury before Euro '96 and I had slightly less time to recover.
"I made it in time though and I am optimistic I will be fit this time as well."
www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/euro2004/articles/10467050?source=Evening