Capello eyeing Gerrard return
Capello eyeing Gerrard return
England coach Fabio Capello is keen to have Liverpool star Steven Gerrard back into the national squad in the final qualifier against Montenegro next Friday, despite the player has amounted no more than 23 minutes since a groin injury sidelined him six months ago.
Capello has included the Reds skipper, as well as an injured Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand on the provisional squad of 23 for the game that might take England to Euro 2012.
England need one point in the fixture in Podgorica and Capello seems to be relishing for players who are just emerging from injuries.
The Italian manager will be at Goodison Park on Saturday to watch the Merseyside derby and, hopefully, to see a match fit Gerrard.
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, who was always defended a smooth comeback for his captain, is hoping Capello acts reasonably with Gerrard, regarding that his body can’t bear the full 90 minutes of a game just yet.
Rooney hopes are up too
Manchester United duo Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney are also on Capello’s mind for the Montenegro clash. The first has been fit to play the Red Devils’ last two matches, but the striker is still coping with a hamstring strain, which should take three more weeks to heal.
United’s Chris Smalling is also in contention, shall he recover from a groin strain. Names like Andy Carroll, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Peter Crouch and youngsters Danny Welbeck and Danny Sturridge are also on the provisional list.