England virus fear
thesun
ROY HODGSON called up three rookies after fearing Englands squad could be torn apart by a virus.
Arsenal winger Theo Walcott was sent home ill ahead of tonights World Cup qualifier with Ukraine.
And Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge is also being monitored after suffering stomach cramps.
So Liverpool teenager Raheem Sterling, Tottenhams Jake Livermore, 22, and Adam Lallana, 24, of Southampton are late inclusions.
Boss Hodgson said: We need a good contingency plan because its a virus.
Theo trained fully on Sunday and was as fit as a fiddle, then he was violently sick.
So weve brought in three players who interest us for the future and that will fill our quota on the bench. Thats the thinking.
I had a big squad when I started here and weve tried to deal with the absences.
Going to Moldova, I didnt think there were any problems there. We had options on the bench and the XI I wanted.
But weve lost John Terry and Ashley Cole didnt return.
Wayne Rooney, Andy Carroll, Ashley Young, Scott Parker and Jack Wilshere are other crocked players who would be pushing for a start.
Adam Lallana
SHOCK CALL ... Adam Lallana
Hodgson will pick the same team which thrashed the Moldovans 5-0 on Friday apart from in central defence, where Phil Jagielka could get the nod ahead of Gary Cahill following Terrys ankle injury.
Yet selecting Sterling, 17, is a massive surprise as the Kop kid has yet to play for the Under-21s.
Hodgson said: When you bring in a young Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, or those for the Italy friendly and now Raheem Sterling, whos even younger and has only burst on to the scene in the last couple of games, Im causing headlines to be written.
Ive explained to Brendan Rodgers the thinking behind him coming in and Ill make it clear to Raheem.
Hell be pretty lucky to get close to the field because there were plenty of players who were chosen in front of him.
He mustnt think hes become a part of the set-up and has made it. He has to try, next time, to make sure he is one of the original 23.
Well be watching him before October to see whether hell merit a place in the squad.
Arsenal winger Theo Walcott was sent home ill ahead of tonights World Cup qualifier with Ukraine.
And Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge is also being monitored after suffering stomach cramps.
So Liverpool teenager Raheem Sterling, Tottenhams Jake Livermore, 22, and Adam Lallana, 24, of Southampton are late inclusions.
Boss Hodgson said: We need a good contingency plan because its a virus.
Theo trained fully on Sunday and was as fit as a fiddle, then he was violently sick.
So weve brought in three players who interest us for the future and that will fill our quota on the bench. Thats the thinking.
I had a big squad when I started here and weve tried to deal with the absences.
Going to Moldova, I didnt think there were any problems there. We had options on the bench and the XI I wanted.
But weve lost John Terry and Ashley Cole didnt return.
Wayne Rooney, Andy Carroll, Ashley Young, Scott Parker and Jack Wilshere are other crocked players who would be pushing for a start.
Adam Lallana
SHOCK CALL ... Adam Lallana
Hodgson will pick the same team which thrashed the Moldovans 5-0 on Friday apart from in central defence, where Phil Jagielka could get the nod ahead of Gary Cahill following Terrys ankle injury.
Yet selecting Sterling, 17, is a massive surprise as the Kop kid has yet to play for the Under-21s.
Hodgson said: When you bring in a young Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, or those for the Italy friendly and now Raheem Sterling, whos even younger and has only burst on to the scene in the last couple of games, Im causing headlines to be written.
Ive explained to Brendan Rodgers the thinking behind him coming in and Ill make it clear to Raheem.
Hell be pretty lucky to get close to the field because there were plenty of players who were chosen in front of him.
He mustnt think hes become a part of the set-up and has made it. He has to try, next time, to make sure he is one of the original 23.
Well be watching him before October to see whether hell merit a place in the squad.
