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Gerrard, Ferdinand out of English team

Comment: 0 October 3rd, 2011 by: admin

Due to a list of recent injuries, Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand have both been excluded from the English squad for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro on Friday.

According to reports, English coach Fabio Capello was convinced that the two players require more recuperation before being fit enough to participate in heavily-competitive matches.

Gerrard, who recently rejoined Liverpool as a substitute in 3 Premier League matches, had similarly stated that he was not confident that his overall fitness enough was enough to qualify him for England.

When asked recently of whether or not having Gerrard in the English team would pose significant risks, Reds manager Kenny Dalglish simply stated ‘I just hope they are as intelligent as we have been.’

‘It’s fantastic for [Liverpool] that he is back but the most important person in all of it is Steven himself,’ he said.

As for Ferdinand the determining factor for his being dropped was a strained hamstring sustained last August.  He managed to make an appearance as a substitute during the Saturday match against Norwich; he also came in as starter against Stoke and Basle.

The team also saw Tottenham Hotspur’s Jermain Defoe and Manchester City’s Joleon Lescott dropped, the same fate met by Chelsea’s Daniel Sturridge, and Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

‘I am obviously every disappointed,’ commented Defoe.  ‘I have not let Mr. Capello down when I have played, but I will work hard to get my place back.’

Meanwhile, recalled to the squad were Fulham keeper Scott Carson and striker Bobby Zamora, whose only international appearance was an exhibition game last year against Hungary.

Bursaspor keeper Scott Carson and Fulham striker Bobby Zamora were recalled to the squad.  Man United midfielder Ashley Young has also been named for the squad despite an ankle injury that took him out of the Norwich game.

Spurs’ Kyle Walker was also recalled after making the winning goal for Sunday’s 2-1 victory.

For the upcoming match against Montenegro, England are in need of a draw to secure a place in the finals to be held in the Ukraine and Poland.

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