Injuries hit Eriksson squad
Sven-Goran Eriksson could hardly have imagined the lack of first-choice players that would be at his disposal after plans were announced for England to tour the United States at the end of the season.
Eriksson was always expecting to be shorn of some of his tried-and-trusted charges because of injuries and involvement in the latter stages of European competitions.
But even the Swede would not have envisaged having such a shadow squad at his disposal for the opening game against the host nation at Soldier Field in Chicago tomorrow.
Only Ashley Cole and Joe Cole will be in the starting line-up from the side which overcame Azerbaijan 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier at St. James’ Park in late March.
Paul Robinson, Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen will all be missing through a combination of injuries, requests to rest players and club commitments.
Eriksson is surely hoping hewill not find himself in the same sort of dilemma when the business is for real in the World Cup finals in Germany next summer – always assuming that England go on to top their qualifying group.
Only the fit-again Sol Campbell, who has not figured for England since October, Phil Neville, Ashley Cole and David James have won 30 or more caps of the players available to Eriksson against the United States.
And only Joe Cole (3) has managed more than a single goal for England of the players who will be lining up against Bruce Arena’s team.
But Eriksson has all along defended the validity of the tour and points out the players will have finished for the season by May 31 after he fought to ensure England had no qualifying games to contest in June like many of the other nations.
Now it is up to the fringe players who have unexpectedly been plunged into the spotlight to prove the eight-day trip will turn out to be a worthwhile exercise.
Peter Crouch is one such individual and the Southampton striker will be striving to prove he deserves to be acknowledged for more than just being six feet, seven inches tall.
He has had an outstanding second half to the season at St Mary’s, although ultimately his efforts proved in vain as Saints lost their top-flight status.
Eriksson said: “He has proved that he is extremely good in the air but also that he can score with his feet. He’s a real sort of centre-forward. He knows how to score goals, even in difficult situations.
“He’s been picked because he is a very good talent. He gives you different options, the sort of thing you look upon if there are 20 minutes to play and you can’t get through. That should be very good to have as I think he is the best header of a ball in the Premier League.”
Michael Carrick will also be looking to re-establish himself after a three-year gap since he won the last of his two caps and he made a big impression during his first season at Tottenham following his move from West Ham last summer.
Eriksson said: “He has improved since he went to Tottenham, just like Jermain Defoe. But, to be fair to Carrick, when I first came into this job and he was playing for West Ham, he did very well.
“I picked him twice and I liked him very much. Then he got injured and then West Ham went down from the Premiership.
“When he signed for Tottenham at the start, he didn’t play. He had to fight to come into the team but since then he’s been better and better.”
