Organising the England squads this week has resembled a bunch of
blokes down the pub trying desperately to sort out their weekly
kickabout.
Time after time, the nation's top footballers have dropped out
of games and left coaches scrambling for replacements.
And it's not just Three Lions boss Capello who is suffering from
frustrating withdrawal symptoms.
Across the four national teams in action this week — at senior,
Under-21, Under-20 and Under-19 levels — there have been a total of
25 PLAYERS who have been ruled out.
For Capello, it means he will have to select a new England
captain as Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard are missing for the
clash in Denmark on Wednesday.
Ferdinand was not even named in the squad because of a calf
injury while Gerrard pulled out after picking up a knock in
Liverpool's win over Chelsea on Sunday.
Keeper Ben Foster, Tottenham striker Peter Crouch and Gabriel
Agbonlahor are also missing from the senior squad.
But it is Stuart Pearce's U-21 side who have been hit hardest
ahead of their match in Italy on Tuesday afternoon.
Psycho only has one recognised centre-back in his 19-man squad
after EIGHT withdrawals and Kyle Walker's
promotion to the seniors.
Six defenders — Kieran Gibbs, Martin Kelly, Micah Richards,
Chris Smalling, James Tomkins and Walker — are out.
They are joined by Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph,
Sunderland's Jordan Henderson and Chelsea striker Danny Sturridge,
who is on loan at Bolton.
Pearce has called up five players to cover their absence,
including Leeds captain Jonny Howson — who gets his first U-21
nod.
Elsewhere, Pearce's U-20 counterpart Brian Eastick is without
six of his first-choice team.
And U-19s boss Noel Blake has suffered three withdrawals and
seen Josh McEachran and Alex Chamberlain promoted to the U-21s.
After all their troubles, Capello & Co will be more than
entitled to a relaxing pint down the boozer this week!
Seniors: Denmark v England, Wednesday, 7.15pm,
Copenhagen
Gabriel Agbonlahor - OUT - No replacement
Peter Crouch - OUT - Replaced by Carlton Cole
Rio Ferdinand - OUT - Did not make squad
Ben Foster - OUT - Replaced by Robert Green
Steven Gerrard - OUT - No replacement
Under-21s: Italy v England, Tuesday, 2pm,
Empoli
Fabian Delph - OUT - Replaced by Jonny Howson
Kieran Gibbs - OUT - Replaced by Kyle Naughton
Jordan Henderson - OUT - Replaced by Josh McEachran
Martin Kelly - OUT - No replacement
Micah Richards - OUT - No replacement
Chris Smalling - OUT - No replacement
Daniel Sturridge - OUT - Replaced by James Vaughan
James Tomkins - OUT - No replacement
Kyle Walker - Promoted to Seniors - Replaced by Kieran
Trippier
Under-20s: England v France, Wednesday, 7.30pm,
Shrewsbury
Nathan Baker - OUT - Replaced by Reece Brown
Steven Caulker - OUT - Replaced by James Wallace
Nathaniel Clyne - OUT - Replaced by Jordan Clarke
Alex Nimely - OUT - Replaced by Ryan Mason
Nile Ranger - OUT - No replacement
Sanchez Watt - OUT - Replaced by Josh Morris
Under-19s: England v Germany, Tuesday, 7.30pm,
Chesterfield
Benik Afobe - OUT - Replaced by Saido Berahino
Alex Chamberlain - Promoted to U-21s - Replaced by Jordan
Slew
Josh McEachran - Promoted to U-21s - Replaced by Jake
Nicholson
Jonjo Shelvey - OUT - Replaced by Thomas Ince
Ryan Tunnicliffe - OUT - Replaced by George Thorne.