Injuries pile on the problems for Capello

Fabio Capello’s preparations for England’s opening Euro 2012 qualifiers suffered a blow on Tuesday as Peter Crouch, Phil Jagielka and his two back-up goalkeepers all missed training due to injuries.

Capello is desperate to make a positive start to the Euro 2012 campaign after England’s woeful efforts at the World Cup, but the Italian is already being hampered by injuries ahead of Friday’s clash against Bulgaria at Wembley and the trip to Switzerland next Tuesday.

Tottenham striker Crouch was forced to miss training at Arsenal’s London Colney centre due to a back problem, while Everton defender Jagielka was sidelined with an ankle injury suffered while playing in his club’s defeat at Aston Villa on Sunday.

As if that wasn’t worrying enough for Capello, the England coach was also without Birmingham goalkeeper Ben Foster and West Brom keeper Scott Carson for the opening training session.

Foster has a knee injury, while Carson is troubled by a back problem.

Manchester City’s Joe Hart is set to be Capello’s number one in the qualifers but England were forced to ask Arsenal to supply one of their youngsters, 19-year-old reserve keeper James Shea, to ensure the squad had two goalkeepers to train with.

However, the Football Association suggested there were unlikely to be any call-ups to cover for the injuries on Tuesday.

If Jagielka fails to recover in time for Friday’s match, Capello will have to rethink his defensive plans as it was thought the former Sheffield United player would partner Michael Dawson at the heart of England’s defence.

Matthew Upson, who played poorly at the World Cup, Joleon Lescott or Gary Cahill would compete for the vacant defensive spot.

Crouch’s injury would also rob Capello of an attacking option if he can’t return to full fitness in time, but the Italian named five strikers in his squad so he will still be able to choose from Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe, Carlton Cole and Darren Bent.