England squad hit by injury

England suffered a blow ahead of their friendly against Denmark at Wembley on Wednesday after Steven Gerrard, Peter Crouch and Ben Foster were forced to withdraw through injury. Gabriel Agbonlahor will also miss the game for personal reasons. England manager Fabio Capello has called up Rob Greene and Carlton Cole as replacements.

Liverpool Captain Steven Gerrard, who would have also captained England on Wednesday, picked up a groin injury in his side’s 1-0 victory over Chelsea which has ruled him out for around a week, while Crouch and Foster have both been released from the squad after a medical assessment on Sunday night.
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish insists Gerrard will miss the game, but he will still undergo a medical assessment by England doctors today. Dalglish said: “He has to go so they (England) can have a look at him but we've spoken to England and he'll not be playing."

With Gerrard out injured, and Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand also unavailable, Capello will be forced to name a new Captain for the midweek friendly. Ferdinand was announced as Captain last February but a knee injury which ruled him out of the World Cup meant Gerrard stepped into the role from his position of vice-captain.
The role will likely be given to Chelsea’s Frank Lampard or Wayne Rooney. Rooney lead the side during their friendly against Brazil in Doha, but after Lampard was elevated to vice-captain after Ferdinand missed the World Cup in South Africa last year, he will be favourite for the position.

Previous captain John Terry was removed as captain after revelations about his personal life last year. Terry’s alleged affair with then team-mate Wayne Bridge’s ex-girlfriend meant he was forced to give up the armband.

Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere will likely step into Gerrard’s midfield position behind Rooney if Capello opts to play a lone striker, or may occupy a deeper position alongside Frank Lampard if the Italian opts to play two strikers.

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