ENGLAND'S injury jinx struck again yesterday when midfielder Danny Murphy returned home after breaking a bone in his left foot, writes PAUL FRASER.
The Liverpool star has fractured the same metatarsal as skipper David Beckham, who is still fighting to be fit. Murphy, only in the squad because of an injury to Steven Gerrard, has been replaced in Sven-Goran Eriksson's 23-man party by West Ham's Trevor Sinclair.
Sinclair returns to the Far East just days after he made the long trip back to London, following the inclusion of Newcastle's Kieron Dyer in the squad.
And now Eriksson, fearing more setbacks, has put England U-21 captain David Dunn and striker Alan Smith on stand-by.
Murphy, meanwhile, has joined Gerrard and Gary Neville on the crocked list and there are still fitness worries ahead of England's final World Cup warm-up match against Cameroon tomorrow.
As well as Beckham, Dyer has still not recovered from injury while Nicky Butt (knee) is unlikely to be risked.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article