All information is
complete to and including England's last match, the first of the 2008-09 season,
against Czech Republic on 20 August 2008.
Diary
Sunday,
25 November 2007 - England will meet Croatia
again after the European Qualification Draw for the 2010 World Cup was made
today in Durban, South Africa. The Three Lions were also drawn with Ukraine,
Belarus, Andorra and Kazakhstan.
Wednesday, 14 January
2008 - In Zagreb, Croatia, the fixture
list is finalised for the UEFA Qualification Group Six.
Sunday, 13 April 2008 -
England will return to Barcelona for their first World Cup Qualifier, where they
will face Andorra in the same stadium in which they triumphed 3-0 a year ago.
This match will be the first competitive game for Fabio Capello.
Wednesday, 27
August 2008 - Liverpool captain Steven
Gerrard is almost certain to miss England's first two World Cup qualifiers after
the Reds revealed he needs a groin operation. Gerrard, 28, will undergo
the operation on Thursday and will be out for "10-15 days", according to boss
Rafa Benitez. Gerrard played through the pain barrier on Wednesday to help
Liverpool into the Champions League group stage.
Friday, 29
August 2008 - Owen Hargreaves has been
ruled out of England's opening World Cup qualifiers, adding to Fabio Capello's
problems in midfield. Hargreaves is recovering from tendonitis in his knee
and will play in Manchester United's Super Cup game on Friday. But United
boss Sir Alex Ferguson says Hargreaves will not be fit for England's games on 6
and 10 September. "Owen will not be ready as he needs recovery time," said
Ferguson.
Sunday, 31
August 2008 -
Jimmy Bullard has been included in the England squad for
the first time for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers away to Andorra and
Croatia. The Fulham midfielder gets his chance with Steven Gerrard, Owen
Hargreaves and Michael Carrick all out injured. Michael Owen and Jonathan
Woodgate have been left out and Portsmouth's Peter Crouch misses out on a place
again. Robert Green and Joleon Lescott return and David Beckham and Theo
Walcott are also in Fabio Capello's 23-man party.
Tuesday, 2 September
2008 - Chelsea trio Frank Lampard, John
Terry and Ashley Cole missed England training today. Lampard (leg) and
Cole (knee) suffered knocks at the weekend, while Terry has a bug but they are
expected to be fit for Saturday's opener against Andorra. Manchester
United's Wes Brown sat out training as a precaution because of a knee injury but
should also be fine.
Wednesday, 3
September 2008 - Rio Ferdinand appears to be Capello's only injury worry.
Manchester United defender Ferdinand's stiff back saw him miss today's training,
but it is thought he will be fit for the two qualifiers. Midfielder Frank
Lampard also seems certain to face Andorra on Saturday, having shaken off a dead
leg.
Thursday, 4
September 2008 - Rio Ferdinand will travel to Barcelona with the England
squad, despite suffering from a stiff neck. The Manchester United defender
missed training for a second day today and will be reassessed tomorrow.
However, midfielder Frank Lampard seems certain to be fit to start the match,
having shaken off a dead leg, and Joe Cole, the only other player to miss the
session, is expected to shake off a minor calf injury to play.
Friday, 5 September
2008 - Rio Ferdinand will miss England's qualifier against Andorra
tomorrow. The defender has a back injury but manager Fabio Capello expects
him to be fit for the key game against Croatia on Wednesday. Joleon Lescott, Wes
Brown or Matthew Upson could step in to partner skipper John Terry in central
defence. Chelsea midfielders Frank Lampard and Joe Cole are both likely to
shake off minor knocks.
Meanwhile, Fabio Capello says Michael Owen
has a future with England despite his omission from the squad. Capello
said: "I decided he is not physically fit. But the door is still open for
him to return."