Left in limbo: Stephen Warnock could snatch Leighton Baines' place in Fabio Capello's 23

By Matt Lawton

Rivals: Stephen Warnock (left) could steal Leighton Baines' place in the squad


Stephen Warnock could emerge today as the shock inclusion in Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad — even though he was one of four players who did not play in England’s two warm-up friendlies.

Capello has until 11 tonight to submit his 23-man squad to FIFA and not until Gareth Barry has been examined by medical staff will he finalise his plans.

But Aston Villa full back Warnock, whose only cap came against Trinidad two years ago, could secure a place on the plane to Johannesburg tomorrow night because of Capello’s concerns about Leighton Baines.


By his own admission, Baines froze against Mexico at Wembley last Monday. FA insiders said the England boss thought he looked ‘scared’ and fears he would struggle.


Struggling: Leighton Baines (right) failed to cover himself in glory against the likes of Giovani dos Santos of Mexico


Barry is confident he will be fit and he has already started running, but only when his injured ankle has been scanned and examined this morning — he travelled to the team hotel last night — will Capello finalise his squad.

If Barry can train by the end of the week he may miss the opener against the USA on June 12, but should be fit to face Algeria six days later.

Only when he has received positive news about Barry will Capello contact the seven to be axed from the provisional 30-man squad.


Confident: The England staff are convinced Gareth Barry (left) will be fit for South Africa


Michael Carrick could lose out in central midfield and Capello will take only two from Theo Walcott, Aaron Lennon and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Of the eight defenders Capello will select, he will take ‘two left backs’. Jamie Carragher is the alternative at right back to Glen Johnson as well as another centre
half, and Capello should pick Matthew Upson ahead of Michael Dawson.

James Milner and Joe Cole should also make it, but that will be bad news for Adam Johnson.

Four of five strikers will go, with Darren Bent likely to miss out. Scott Parker should also be a casualty.

PROBABLE SQUAD: James, Green, Hart; G Johnson, Carragher, Ferdinand, Terry, King, Upson, A Cole, Warnock; Walcott, Lennon, Gerrard, Lampard, Barry, Carrick, J Cole, Milner; Rooney, Heskey, Crouch, Defoe.


source: dailymail
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