five out for england

Five out for England
By Ziyad Ibrahim

A further five players have been called out for
England’s mid-week friendly against Holland.

England already lost Gary Neville on Saturday to a calf injury during Man Utd’s
1-0 victory against Blackburn.

But England boss Steve Mcclaren has now lost striker Darren Bent, midfielder’s Stewart Downing and Scot Parker and spurs defender Ledley King to injuries.

Also Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland will be given a leave of absence due to the fact that his wife is going to give birth to his first child.

Mcclaren has made sure not to draft anymore into his team and in Kirkland’s absence only two keepers will travel to Amsterdam.

But with Scot Carson playing for the U-21 team Mcclaren always has a stand-by option should he need his assistance.

With Parker and Downing both picking up groin injuries in their weekend games Mcclaren seems almost certain to start fit-again Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole to fill that hole in left midfield.

Because of Darren Bents hamstring injury it frees up space for Jermain Defoe or in-form striker Andrew Johnson or maybe Peter Crouch can stay on goal scoring form as he still goes for England’s goal scoring record.

Recent news shows that Jermaine Jenas has also been rules out of England’s friendly and he will be replaced by Man Utd midfielder Kieran Richardson

England have failed to beat Holland in three friendlies since losing 4-1 to the Dutch in Euro 96.

Holland beat them 2-1 in 2001 at White Heart Lane and since then they sides have been neck and neck drawing 1-1 at the Amsterdam arena also drawing 0-0 draw in 2005 at Villa Park.

Will England break this 10 year curse against Holland this Wednesday? Or will Holland stay ever solid and keep their impressive run going.