Post by Salem6 on Jun 11, 2004 16:07:03 GMT
John Terry has failed a fitness test and will miss England's Euro 2004 opener against France on Sunday.
The defender, who damaged a hamstring in the friendly against Japan, joined a light warm-up on Friday but could not take part in the full training session.
Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson had said Terry would need to come through the full session to be considered for the Group B game.
Ledley King or Jamie Carragher will take Terry's place at centre-back.
But Terry is expected to return for England's second game at Euro 2004 against Switzerland on Thursday, 17 June.
"I'm sure he'll be fit for Thursday," said Eriksson. "He trained a little, did some fitness work but it is too short time until Sunday. I think it's dangerous to risk him.
Latest team news:
England v France
"It is a difficult decision to pick from Carragher and King. Both are in good shape and did well in the games they played, so it's difficult but somehow you have to make the decision.
"It's a pity Terry's injured - we all know what a good season he's had but that's life in football." The centre-back has been facing an uphill battle to be fit since he suffered the injury in the closing stages of the 1-1 draw with Japan on 1 June.
He trained on his own from the moment England touched down in Lisbon this week, and only joined his team-mates for the first time on Friday when he took part in the light jogging session and warm-up.
After that he continued his own rehabilitation programme with England physio Gary Lewin - while the rest of the players trained.
King of Tottenham is the favourite to edge out Liverpool's Carragher to take Terry's place.
The THFC man told BBC Sport on Thursday: "It's what all professional footballers dream about, so this would be a dream come true.
"Sven-Goran Eriksson has shown great faith by putting me in the squad so I'm determined not to let him down."
King is primed for the chance to play, but refuses to elaborate on any plans he may have to counter north London Arsenal rival Thierry Henry.
He told BBC Sport: "It's not something I will talk about publicly. I will talk about it with the team and the coaches.
"We have got our own tactics on how to stop them, but talking about it is not going to help."
Eriksson is believed to be concerned by Carragher's lack of pace, which was brutally exposed by France's Thierry Henry in Arsenal's 4-2 win over Liverpool in April.
And while Carragher has 12 caps compared to King's five, the England coach appears ready to throw the 23-year-old THFC centre-half into the biggest match of his career.
Centre-half has proved to be a problematic position for England, who arrived in Portugal without Rio Ferdinand, who is serving a suspension, and injured pair Jonathan Woodgate and Gareth Southgate.
Audio:-
Ledley King
"I'm ready to play - if selected"
news.bbc.co.uk/media/audio/40257000/rm/_40257191_sport_king1006.ram
Terry Butcher
"I think Ledley King is the future for England"
news.bbc.co.uk/media/audio/40255000/rm/_40255445_sport_butcher1006.ram
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2004/england/3796799.stm
The defender, who damaged a hamstring in the friendly against Japan, joined a light warm-up on Friday but could not take part in the full training session.
Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson had said Terry would need to come through the full session to be considered for the Group B game.
Ledley King or Jamie Carragher will take Terry's place at centre-back.
But Terry is expected to return for England's second game at Euro 2004 against Switzerland on Thursday, 17 June.
"I'm sure he'll be fit for Thursday," said Eriksson. "He trained a little, did some fitness work but it is too short time until Sunday. I think it's dangerous to risk him.
Latest team news:
England v France
"It is a difficult decision to pick from Carragher and King. Both are in good shape and did well in the games they played, so it's difficult but somehow you have to make the decision.
"It's a pity Terry's injured - we all know what a good season he's had but that's life in football." The centre-back has been facing an uphill battle to be fit since he suffered the injury in the closing stages of the 1-1 draw with Japan on 1 June.
He trained on his own from the moment England touched down in Lisbon this week, and only joined his team-mates for the first time on Friday when he took part in the light jogging session and warm-up.
After that he continued his own rehabilitation programme with England physio Gary Lewin - while the rest of the players trained.
King of Tottenham is the favourite to edge out Liverpool's Carragher to take Terry's place.
The THFC man told BBC Sport on Thursday: "It's what all professional footballers dream about, so this would be a dream come true.
"Sven-Goran Eriksson has shown great faith by putting me in the squad so I'm determined not to let him down."
King is primed for the chance to play, but refuses to elaborate on any plans he may have to counter north London Arsenal rival Thierry Henry.
He told BBC Sport: "It's not something I will talk about publicly. I will talk about it with the team and the coaches.
"We have got our own tactics on how to stop them, but talking about it is not going to help."
Eriksson is believed to be concerned by Carragher's lack of pace, which was brutally exposed by France's Thierry Henry in Arsenal's 4-2 win over Liverpool in April.
And while Carragher has 12 caps compared to King's five, the England coach appears ready to throw the 23-year-old THFC centre-half into the biggest match of his career.
Centre-half has proved to be a problematic position for England, who arrived in Portugal without Rio Ferdinand, who is serving a suspension, and injured pair Jonathan Woodgate and Gareth Southgate.
Audio:-
Ledley King
"I'm ready to play - if selected"
news.bbc.co.uk/media/audio/40257000/rm/_40257191_sport_king1006.ram
Terry Butcher
"I think Ledley King is the future for England"
news.bbc.co.uk/media/audio/40255000/rm/_40255445_sport_butcher1006.ram
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2004/england/3796799.stm