Top News

Form, fitness concerns hit England's Cup buildup

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-06-09 09:47

David Beckham (3rd R) runs with the England squad during a World Cup soccer training session at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus near Rustenburg, June 8, 2010. [Agencies]

LONDON - Few pundits expect England to be overly troubled by any of their opponents in Group C.

Instead, meetings with the United States, Slovenia and Algeria will be scrutinized for pointers as to the ability of Fabio Capello's squad to progress deep into the tournament after a domestic club season that has provided the Italian with encouragement and cause for concern in roughly equal measure.

Capello has been spared the injury headaches that bedevilled Sven-Goran Eriksson in the run-up to the 2002 and 2006 finals, with midfield anchor Gareth Barry the only serious worry on that score.

The early demise of English clubs in the Champions League reduced the demands on his players in the final month of the campaign and Capello will have been cheered by the prolific form of Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard.

On the negative side, centralback Ferdinand has been ruled out of the tournament after a training ground injury he suffered soon after arriving in South Africa and Tottenham's Ledley King has become the favorite to replace him at the heart of England's defence.

Other key figures - Steven Gerrard and John Terry - have all endured seasons blighted, to varying degrees, by injuries and poor form.

Barry has been an automatic pick under Capello and his ability to shield the back four is essential to the Italian's system.

But the latest bad news is Barry was ruled out of. opening match on Saturday against the United States.

The 29-year-old Manchester City star has been given more time by Capello to recover from the ankle ligament injury he suffered on May 5.

The build-up to England's opening match, against the US, is sure to involve plenty of reminiscing about the only previous World Cup meeting between the two countries.