Injury-hit England's Missing XI
Players Unavailable to Steve McLaren for Israel and Russia Matches
England face two crucial European Championship qualifying games against Israel and Russia with Steve McLaren unable to select a full team of players due to injuries.
England manager, Steve McLaren has serious injury problems for the vital European Championship qualification matches at Wembley against Israel and Russia. England are fourth in the group behind leaders Croatia and their two visitors so it is essential that they take maximum points from these two games. Failure to do so could have drastic consequences for the team - failure to qualify for next summer's finals in Austria and Switzerland - and the manager - the sack.
However, McLaren's task is made even more difficult with the long list of injured players who are not available for selection. In fact, although Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard have recently moved off the injured list, the manager could still make an impressive and experienced team from those who are currently unavailable, including a number of substitutes.
England - the 'Injured' Team:
Ben Foster: A cruciate knee ligament injury has ruled him out for the season. The Manchester United player had hoped to challenge on two fronts this season. After his impressive time on loan at Watford he wanted to challenge Edwin van der Saar for United's goalkeeping position, while Paul Robinson's England position was in his sights following last season's impressive international debut against Spain.
Gary Neville: Manchester United's captain has failed to recover from injury sustained late last season.
Wayne Bridge: Still not recovered from an operation during the summer on his hip. The Chelsea player may be fit in about a month.
Ledley King: Continuing injury problems for Tottenham's captain. He missed much of last season with injury and has been unable to establish himself in the England team due to his frequent injuries.
Sol Campbell: Recalled to the England by Steve McLaren for the first time since last summer's World Cup but had to withdraw due to injury. He forms a partnership in the 'injured XI' with his former Tottenham colleague.
David Beckham: Beckham's desire to earn 100 caps for England has been hampered by injury. He has never fully recovered from the ankle injury sustained playing for England last season. He played on for Real Madrid to help them win the La Liga title but was not fit when he moved over to America to play for LA Galaxy, the Americans having to wait on his debut.
Frank Lampard: He scored England's goal at Wembley against Germany but a training ground injury prior to Chelsea's game last weekend has ruled Lampard out of international duty.
Keiron Dyer: The West Ham midfielder suffered a broken leg in the Carling Cup game against Bristol Rovers, his second game for his new club.
Aaron Lennon: The Tottenham winger has not played this season following an operation on an injury that troubled him throughout last season. However, he is reported to be nearly ready to make a return to the Spurs team.
Wayne Rooney: Unlike some of the other injured stars, at least Rooney started the season but only made it to half-time in Manchester United's first game before limping off with another foot injury.
Darren Bent: Having moved to Tottenham to improve his international opportunities, injury has prevented him from joining the squad on this occasion.
Substitutes:
Jamie Carragher: injured for Liverpool but made himself unavailable for England following the selection of Ledley King last season.
Jonathan Woodgate: Injury has blighted his career but he has played occasionally for Leeds United, Newcastle United, Real Madrid and now once more at Middlesbrough.
Owen Hargreaves: England wait to see if he will be available for selection but if not, he will immediately step into the 'injured XI'.
And while all these players are injured Jermain Defoe is still unable to get a starting place in the England team - a very talented player watching his career go to waste while sitting on the bench for Tottenham and England.
