England National Football Team Match No. 849

England 0 Spain 1 [0-0]

Wednesday, 7 February 2007

England Pre-Match

All information is complete to and including England's last match, the sixth of the 2006-07 season, against Netherlands on 15 November 2006.

Notes

Tuesday, 6 February 2007 - Steve McClaren is relishing the chance to see Ben Foster, Jonathan Woodgate and Kieron Dyer stake their claims for a regular place in the England team when they face Spain on Wednesday night.  McClaren has made seven changes from the team which drew 1-1 against Netherlands back in November and gone for a new look formation, with Dyer playing an attacking midfield role just behind Peter Crouch.  McClaren revealed that Aaron Lennon was forced to withdraw from the squad through illness after being troubled with a stomach bug.

Monday, 5 February 2007 - Andrew Johnson has withdrawn from the England squad because of an ankle injury.  Johnson returned to action in Everton's draw at Liverpool on Saturday but does not feel the problem has healed enough to be able to play for England.  Wayne Bridge has also withdrawn from the squad because he is suffering from a thigh injury.  Chris Kirkland became the third withdrawal of the day, his shoulder injury means that England have only two fit goalkeepers. However, Manchester United have cleared Wayne Rooney to join up with the squad. 

Owen Hargreaves has revealed he will sit out the friendly.  Hargreaves, 25, only returned to action from a broken leg last Friday - when he played the full 90 minutes of FC Bayern München AG's defeat against Nuremberg.

Steven Gerrard admits it will be a massive honour to captain England.  The 26-year-old will skipper the side for the first time in three years, with John Terry unable to play the full 90 minutes following a back injury.  Gerrard said: "It means an awful lot to me. To walk out at the front and lead the boys into battle is extra-special."

Jonathan Woodgate is now a Middlesbrough player.  Real Madrid announced they have reached an agreement with the Riverside club over the transfer of the England defender.  Woodgate, 27, joined Boro on a year-long loan from Madrid in summer 2006 and the two clubs have now agreed to make the switch permanent.  In a statement, Madrid said it had reached an agreement for the transfer.  "Real Madrid wants to wish Jonathan the best personal and professional success."

Sunday, 4 February 2007 - Wayne Rooney is a doubt for England's friendly against Spain at Old Trafford on Wednesday.  The striker limped off after 64 minutes during Manchester United's crushing 4-0 win over Tottenham at White Hart Lane today.  "We will assess him on Monday morning but he may be doubtful for the England game on Wednesday," said Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Jermaine Jenas missed the defeat with an ankle injury and has had to pull out of the England squad.

Friday, 2 February 2007 - Steve McClaren has named his 28-man squad to face Spain in a friendly at Old Trafford next Wednesday.  There are four new names under McClaren as Jonathan Woodgate, Kieron Dyer, Gareth Barry and Joey Barton are all included for the first time during the England Head Coach's reign.For Barton it is the first ever call into the senior set up, with the Manchester City midfielder joining his teammate Micah Richards in the fold for the match with Luis Aragones' side.  The 24-year-old midfielder has been involved for the England Under-21s in the past, winning two caps and scoring against Portugal at Goodison Park in a European Championship Qualifier in September 2003.  The last time Woodgate turned out for the Three Lions was against Sweden in March 2004 and the Middlesbrough defender will be eager to add to his tally of five caps.  Newcastle United midfielder Kieron Dyer is also in the squad, as is Aston Villa's Gareth Barry, while Owen Hargreaves comes back into the squad after missing the last three games of 2006 through injury.

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CG