Peter Crouch ruled out of England's double-header

Published on Wednesday 1 September 2010 19:49

Peter Crouch will miss the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland due to a back injury.

The Tottenham Hotspur striker was always going to be a major doubt once club manager Harry Redknapp revealed what he thought was a rib problem after Saturday's surprise home defeat to Wigan in the Premier League.

Manager Fabio Capello took the precaution of naming an additional striker in his 24-man squad, so when it was confirmed yesterday afternoon Crouch had returned to Spurs for treatment, there was no requirement for a replacement to be drafted in.

As Bobby Zamora was ruled out prior to the squad being announced, it leaves Capello to choose from Wayne Rooney, Carlton Cole, Darren Bent and Jermain Defoe, who has recovered from a groin complaint.

The Football Association opted not to make any further injury announcements, although the fact Crouch is the only player being released and no call-ups have been requested must be viewed as good news given England only had one goalkeeper at training on Tuesday.

There is cover for Phil Jagielka, who also sat out training earlier in the week with an ankle problem which David Moyes revealed made him an extreme doubt following Everton's defeat at Aston Villa on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Gareth Barry insists the England dressing room is fully behind Capello as the team goes into battle for the first time in a competitive international since the World Cup.

With a tricky trip to Switzerland following the Bulgaria match, there are some who fear the end result will be so poor, the FA is going to be left with little alternative other than to oust the Italian, who was only confirmed in his job two months ago.

After building up an air of impregnability during his first two years in charge, Capello has seemed to do little right since he launched the ill-fated 'Capello Index'.

Despite the FA's frustration, and to Capello's continued embarrassment, the Index continues to log the fortunes of players, even though the Italian has tried to have it closed down and has long since distanced himself from the concept.

Yet Barry, one of 13 members of Capello's current squad who survived the debacle in South Africa, insists the players still have faith in their leader.

"Everyone is right behind the manager," said the Manchester City midfielder. "I firmly believe the players and manager can go on and do great things. He is still the man to take England forward."

Although it has been suggested Capello is determined to adopt a less intense approach, Barry has not detected a notable change. "I have not noticed anything different," he said. "He still wants us to play at a high tempo but the whole squad is pretty relaxed. Everything is pretty chilled."