England Player Injuries Affecting The Matches Against Uruguay

Kieron Dyer, Midfielder, Newcastle United F.C.

Kieron Dyer's injury nightmare has continued with the news he will be out for three weeks with a hamstring strain.  Dyer suffered the injury during the FA Cup win over Southampton on Saturday - his first start for about six months.  Dyer was suffering from fatigue after playing 76 minutes against the Saints on Sunday, but it later emerged that he had a more worrying problem.  Manager Glenn Roeder said:  "We are positive that in no longer than three weeks Kieron will be training again.  Seventy-odd minutes might have just tested Kieron a little bit too much and tiredness has caught him out.  At the moment there isn't a major concern that, with the scan showing a very mild strain.  Because it's Kieron, you can never put an absolute definite date on it, but we the important thing is we are keeping Kieron positive and he is keeping himself positive."

Ashley Cole, Defender, Arsenal F.C.

Arsenal have confirmed that Ashley Cole's broken foot will keep him out of action for the rest of the year.  The news is a blow to boss Arsenè Wenger, who had hoped to have the 24-year-old back in action in December.  Cole will hope to return when the Gunners host Manchester United on 3 January.   "The earliest he will be back is the beginning of January."  Wenger told Arsenal's official website.

Ashley Cole expects to be sidelined for eight weeks as he recovers from a stress fracture in his right foot.  The 24-year-old has undergone surgery to correct the problem.  "The operation went well and I hope to be back in eight weeks.  I've been told that's a realistic time to aim for. The team has a few injuries and it's going to be a testing time."

Ashley Cole withdraws from the England squad to face Austria.  He is suffering a stress fracture of the foot.

Jonathan Woodgate, Defender, Real Madrid C.F.

Jonathan Woodgate got a boost last night when it was revealed he has suffered only a hamstring strain.  It was feared the defender had sustained a tear as he limped off early against Arsenal.  A Real Madrid spokesman said: "He has a muscle strain in his left leg - but we don't know how long he'll be out."

Jonathan Woodgate will undergo tests on his thigh injury tomorrow after limping out of Real Madrid's Champions League defeat to Arsenal on Tuesday.  The centre-back suffered a suspected hamstring strain nine minutes into the 1-0 loss.  A Real statement said: "At the end of the match the medical services confirmed Woodgate has a strain.  On Wednesday it will be examined, and a decision taken on his ailment."

Alan Smith, Midfielder, Manchester United F.C.

Smith hopes to make a full recovery after suffering a horrific leg break.  The midfielder broke his left leg and dislocated his ankle after falling awkwardly.  "When I looked, the leg was lying one way and my ankle was pointing towards Hong Kong so I knew I was in serious trouble.  But the doctors are very positive, I've had an operation and now it's a question of starting on the road back."  The midfielder is expected to be out for at least nine months after undergoing surgery yesterday.

Alan Smith is stretchered off with an 'horrific leg' injury in the FA Cup fifth round match against Liverpool.  Smith had only been on the pitch ten minutes before attempting to block a free-kick earned him the injury.  He will be out for the long-term.

Michael Owen, Forward, Newcastle United F.C.

Michael Owen may be back in time for next month's FA Cup quarter-final against Chelsea.  The 25-year-old England forward broke a bone in his foot on 31 December and initially targeted a return in April.  But caretaker manager Glenn Roeder said Owen may make the March trip to Stamford Bridge.  He said: "It will be touch and go.  He's certainly not behind time, if anything he might be a little bit ahead.  He has got no concerns with the way the operation went and the way the injury is healing.  Apparently, it is healing really well."  Roeder said it was difficult to give a precise date for Owen's return.  "He's not doing enough in training yet, he has only just started jogging.  But he is pleased with the amount of jogging he is doing and he is pain-free."

Michael Owen hopes to have recovered from his broken foot in time for the last month of Newcastle United's season.  Owen said: "My recovery is going well.  Hopefully I'll start on the treadmill soon.  The surgeon seems happy that the pin is still in place and I want to be back for at least a month of the season.  Climbing up the table is obviously the priority and the FA Cup still gives us a shot at silverware."

Michael Owen has broken a bone in his foot and will be out for two to three months.  The 26-year-old fractured his fifth metatarsal during the Newcastle United's 2-0 Premiership defeat at Tottenham Hotspur today.  "It's a mighty blow.  It's an absolute disaster for him and an absolute disaster for the club.  It's a dark day for us." said boss Graeme Souness.  Sven-Göran Eriksson said he would be monitoring Owen's recovery closely ahead of the 2006 World Cup.  "Obviously I'm very disappointed for Michael.  It's very bad luck for him and for Newcastle United.  Michael is a fantastic striker and a very important player for his club and for England.  I hope that he returns to fitness as soon as possible and I will follow his progress very closely."

Owen Hargreaves, Midfielder, FC Bayern München AG

Owen Hargreaves is set to be sidelined for the next three weeks after undergoing a groin operation.  The 25-year-old has been playing through the pain barrier for a large part of FC Bayern München AG's season and the club have finally decided to allow him to go under the surgeon's knife in order to rectify the problem.  Hargreaves will definitely miss the next three Bundesliga matches, but is hoping he will have recovered in time for Bayern's Champions League second round first leg clash with AC Milan on February 21.