England National Football Team Match No. 761

Poland 0 England 0 [0-0]

Wednesday, 8 September 1999

England Pre-Match

All information is complete to and including the match against Luxembourg on 4 September 1999.

Notes

Thursday, 26 August 1999 - Liverpool star Michael Owen has been named in the new England squad despite not playing for his club since last April.  Owen came through a practice match on Tuesday afternoon and is a likely substitute for Liverpool at home to Arsenal on Saturday.  Kevin Keegan is satisfied that the 19 year old will be fit for the home game against Luxembourg on September 4th and the crucial trip to Poland four days later.  Ex-England captain Stuart Pearce has been recalled to the squad two years after the 37 year old last played. Chelsea striker Chris Sutton is also brought back after his row with former coach Glenn Hoddle in which he refused to play in a 'B' international before the last World Cup.  Keegan's options have been restricted by injuries but he has also recalled centre back Tony Adams after one reserve game in a bid to field an experienced back line with Adams partnering Martin Keown and Sol Campbell.  Campbell has been suffering with calf problems but Keegan seems certain to pick the player.  Midfielder Steve McManaman has been in good form for Real Madrid and is likely to start in one of the last two Euro 2000 matches.  Keegan will again make Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer his captain after the striker's club coach Ruud Gullit claimed his side were better off without Shearer after making him a substitute for last night's defeat against Sunderland.  England are currently third in their Euro 2000 group and must win in Poland and against Luxembourg to ensure a play-off place in November.

Friday, 27 August 1999 - Tottenham Hotspur have pulled star defender Sol Campbell out of the England squad less than two hours after Kevin Keegan named the squad for the last two Euro 2000 matches yesterday.  The central defender has been struggling all season with calf problems and the London club were surprised when the England coach included the player in his squad for the home game against Luxembourg and the trip to Poland in September.  Keegan claimed not to know of Campbell's fitness problems yesterday but the player lasted only 24 minutes of the opening game of the season on August 1st and has not figured since in Tottenham Hotspur's good start to the campaign.  Spurs coach George Graham said last night that the player was at least ten days away from full fitness.

Saturday, 28 August 1999 - Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Darren Anderton has missed the Premiership game with Leeds United today and could pull out of the England squad.  Anderton was named in the England squad and was hoping to prove his fitness today but a thigh strain forced him out of the game with Leeds United.

Thursday, 2 September 1999 - The England injury list grew this afternoon when coach Kevin Keegan confirmed that two new players had been ruled out of Saturday's home clash with Luxembourg.  Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp had a scan on Tuesday which revealed heel damage that needed rest while Chelsea striker Chris Sutton has failed to shake of a persistent foot problem.  Both players are in contention to play against Poland.  Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman will miss both matches though after succumbing to a calf injury which has delayed his start to the new season with the London side.

Monday, 6 September 1999 - David Beckham could miss Wednesday night's crucial Euro 2000 match against Poland.  Beckham, who played a pivotal role in Saturday's 6-0 win against Luxembourg, is carrying a hamstring injury and England coach Kevin Keegan is reluctant to play the Manchester United for fear of aggravating the injury.

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PY/CG