England boss Steve McClaren’s cup of woes is now full to the brim after David Beckham was ruled out of England’s Euro 2008 qualifiers after he sprained his ankle.
McClaren, who is scheduled to announce the England squad for the qualifiers today, has been grappling with injuries for quite a while. Already, Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been ruled out while a cloud of doubt hovers over Steven Gerrard’s fitness as well. Now Beckham’s injury only compounded the crisis for a depleted England.
England host Israel at Wembley on September 8 and Russia on September 12.
The injury is also a personal setback for Beckham, who had just recovered from an ankle injury. The star Englishman, who dons LA Galaxy colours, was playing in the Superliga final against Pachuca when he sprained ankle. LA Galaxy eventually lost the match 3-4 on penalty.
The injury means Beckham would be out of action for six weeks, which also makes it difficult for him to get back in shape before the last leg of Galaxy’s regular season beginning on 21 October.
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