Post by Taxigirl on Mar 23, 2005 8:42:14 GMT
skysports.planetfootball.com
by Mark Buckingham
Sven Goran Eriksson has sent Andy Johnson home from the England squad, while captain David Beckham has undergone a scan on a back injury.
Crystal Palace striker Johnson sat out training on Tuesday, along with Kieron Dyer, and has been allowed to return to Selhurst Park.
Johnson linked up with the squad carrying an ankle injury but Eriksson had been hopeful the forward would be fit for the World Cup qualifiers against Northern Ireland and Azerbaijan.
But after undergoing a scan on the problem, Johnson has been released from the squad and will not be able to build on his debut against Holland last month.
Three Lions skipper Beckham has also been troubled by a back problem but Eriksson expects the Real Madrid midfielder to be fit for Saturday's game against Northern Ireland at Old Trafford.
"This afternoon, I sent two players to have a scan," Eriksson told a press conference.
"Beckham for his back - that's not a problem, he's supposed to be training tomorrow. Dyer also should train tomorrow.
"We also had a scan done with Andy Johnson on an ankle problem and we have decided to send him home because he will not be fit for Saturday so it's better that he's taking treatment at home.
"I knew about Andy Johnson before I picked the squad but I was told that probably by Thursday or Friday he would be able to train.
"After the scan we did, we now decided that it's a risk and we don't want to take that risk."
Eriksson will not call up a replacement for Johnson as he still has four strikers at his disposal, including Emile Heskey, who has earned a recall to the squad.
"He's playing very well at the moment, Emile," added the England boss.
"When he's in the fighting spirit he's always a very useful player.
"He's stronger than all the others, is good in the air and he can be useful against Northern Ireland.
"After seeing him and talking to the scouts I decided to take him back. He has played for England many times and done well many times."
by Mark Buckingham
Sven Goran Eriksson has sent Andy Johnson home from the England squad, while captain David Beckham has undergone a scan on a back injury.
Crystal Palace striker Johnson sat out training on Tuesday, along with Kieron Dyer, and has been allowed to return to Selhurst Park.
Johnson linked up with the squad carrying an ankle injury but Eriksson had been hopeful the forward would be fit for the World Cup qualifiers against Northern Ireland and Azerbaijan.
But after undergoing a scan on the problem, Johnson has been released from the squad and will not be able to build on his debut against Holland last month.
Three Lions skipper Beckham has also been troubled by a back problem but Eriksson expects the Real Madrid midfielder to be fit for Saturday's game against Northern Ireland at Old Trafford.
"This afternoon, I sent two players to have a scan," Eriksson told a press conference.
"Beckham for his back - that's not a problem, he's supposed to be training tomorrow. Dyer also should train tomorrow.
"We also had a scan done with Andy Johnson on an ankle problem and we have decided to send him home because he will not be fit for Saturday so it's better that he's taking treatment at home.
"I knew about Andy Johnson before I picked the squad but I was told that probably by Thursday or Friday he would be able to train.
"After the scan we did, we now decided that it's a risk and we don't want to take that risk."
Eriksson will not call up a replacement for Johnson as he still has four strikers at his disposal, including Emile Heskey, who has earned a recall to the squad.
"He's playing very well at the moment, Emile," added the England boss.
"When he's in the fighting spirit he's always a very useful player.
"He's stronger than all the others, is good in the air and he can be useful against Northern Ireland.
"After seeing him and talking to the scouts I decided to take him back. He has played for England many times and done well many times."