Campbell joins England's absentee list
Campbell joins England's absentee list
Sunday, 02, Sep 2007 08:25
Sol Campbell has pulled out of the England squad for the crunch Euro 2008 qualifiers with Israel and Russia.
In another hammer blow for boss Steve McClaren, the Portsmouth defender is suffering with a hamstring injury.
The 32-year-old missed Pompey's 3-1 defeat to his former club Arsenal today and will not recover in time for the clash with Israel on Saturday.
Campbell missed England's 2-1 defeat to Germany in a friendly last month and has not played international football since the 2-2 draw with Sweden in last year's World Cup.
Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand and Chelsea skipper John Terry are expected to play in central defence.
Campbell joins David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, Aaron Lennon and Ledley King among the players on the absentee list for the games with Israel and Russia.
Steven Gerrard is expected to play against Israel at Wembley despite missing Liverpool's last three games with a toe injury.
McClaren said he was confident Gerrard, 27, will return to play in central midfield.
"I spoke to Stevie and I am liaising with Liverpool," he added.
"We're not going to take any risks but he wants to play and we want him to play.
"We'll assess it in the week but I am fully expecting he'll be available for the two games."