Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard has moved to assure nervous supporters he will be fit for England’s World Cup Group C opener against USA in Rustenburg on June 12 (8/1 Gerrard – Top England Goalscorer).
The Kop icon picked up a knee injury in the unconvincing 2-1 international friendly win over Japan on Sunday but stressed it was not serious.
Gerrard – who has scored 16 goals in 80 appearances for the Three Lions – sparked fears about his fitness last week when he twice withdrew from training because a calf injury.
However, the 30-year-old insisted he would be ready for his country’s opener against America in Rustenburg (4/9 England 3/1 draw 6/1 USA – match betting).
“It’s OK, it’ll be all right,” he said. “It won’t be a problem.”
England coach Fabio Capello is sweating on no more injury headaches before he announces his 23-man cut on June 1.
Gareth Barry remains his biggest concern but it would appear the Italian is prepared to relax his own rules to allow the Manchester City midfielder to make the squad.
The former Aston Villa man is struggling to recover from strained ankle ligaments and reports suggest he is almost certainly ruled out of that Group C encounter against the States.
“We will decide on Gareth Barry after we have had the final check to see how long it will be before he can train with us,” said Capello.
Capello will also make personal checks on Chelsea defender John Terry, who fell awkwardly in the second half against Japan and pulled up in pain, while star striker Wayne Rooney suffered from a spate of minor injuries towards the end of the domestic season.
The writing does appear to be on the wall for Tom Huddlestone of Tottenham and Darren Bent of Sunderland.
Both were given a last chance to impress in Austria on Sunday but failed to sparkle and could now miss out.
Stephen Warnock of Aston Villa has also failed to dislodge Leighton Baines of Everton as the preferred back-up to Ashley Cole at left-back.
Joe Cole’s likely inclusion could also mean World Cup heartache for the Manchester City duo Adam Johnson and Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Michael Dawson and Scott Parker have not been given a chance by Capello and are also now in grave danger of missing out.
“I know the 22 players who are in mind,” said Capello.
“They are the same 22 that I decided last week. Nothing has changed.”
England wrap up their group campaign against Algeria in Cape Town on June 18 and Slovenia on June 23 in Port Elizabeth.