The Three Lions squad for the matches against Andorra and Croatia  September 2008
Player	Birthdate	Age	Pos	Club	St	Sub	App	G	Capt
Barry, Gareth	23 February 1981	27	M	Aston Villa FC	13	9	22	1	0	2
Beckham, David R.J.	2 May 1975	33	M	LA Galaxy, United States	99	5	104	17	59	2 17
Bentley, David M.	27 August 1984	24	M	Tottenham Hotspur FC	1	6	7	0	0	None
Bridge, Wayne M.	5 August 1980	28	D	Chelsea FC	17	13	30	1	0	1
Brown, Wesley M.	13 October 1979	28	D	Manchester United FC	11	7	18	1	0	1
Bullard, James R.	23 October 1978	29	M	Fulham FC	0	0	0	0	0	None
Cole, Ashley	20 December 1980	27	D	Chelsea FC	66	0	66	0	0	10
Cole, Joseph J.	8 November 1981	26	M	Chelsea FC	30	22	52	10	0	4
Defoe, Jermain C.	7 October 1982	25	F	Portsmouth FC	11	19	30	5	0	None
Downing, Stewart	22 July 1984	24	M	Middlesbrough FC	7	13	20	0	0	None
Ferdinand, Rio G.	7 November 1978	29	D	Manchester United FC	63	6	69	1	1	3
Green, Robert P.	18 January 1980	28	G	West Ham United FC	0	1	1	0 GA	0	None
Heskey, Emile W.I.	11 January 1978	30	F	Wigan Athletic FC	28	19	47	5	0	3
James, David B.	1 August 1970	38	G	Portsmouth FC	32	9	41	35 GA	0	3
Jenas, Jermaine A.	18 February 1983	25	M	Tottenham Hotspur FC	4	15	19	1	0	None
Johnson, Glen M.	23 August 1984	23	D	Portsmouth FC	4	5	9	0	0	2
Lampard, Frank J.	20 June 1978	30	M	Chelsea FC	53	10	63	14	0	3
Lescott, Joleon P.	16 August 1982	26	D	Everton FC	4	2	6	0	0	None
Robinson, Paul W.	15 October 1979	28	G	Blackburn Rovers FC	37	4	41	22 GA	0	1
Rooney, Wayne M.	24 October 1985	22	F	Manchester United FC	41	4	45	14	0	1 8
Terry, John G.	7 December 1980	27	D	Chelsea FC	45	1	46	4	16	3
Upson, Matthew J.	18 April 1979	28	D	West Ham United FC	5	3	8	0	0	None
Walcott, Theo J.	16 March 1989	19	M	Arsenal FC	1	2	3	0	0	None

All information is complete to and including England's last match, the second of the 2008-09 season, against Andorra on 6 September 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.

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."

Saturday, 6 September 2008 - Joe Cole spared England's blushes as Fabio Capello's side began their World Cup qualifying campaign with a stuttering victory over Andorra.  In Capello's first competitive match in charge, England dominated but were booed off at half-time after failing to break down Andorra's packed defence.  Cole came on at the break and made an instant impact, volleying home Frank Lampard's free-kick on 49 minutes.  Six minutes later, Cole prodded home his second from Wayne Rooney's pass.

Monday, 8 September 2008 - Rio Ferdinand was able to train with England this morning and will travel with the squad for Wednesday's crucial World Cup qualifier in Croatia.  The Manchester United defender came through the session after missing the victory in Andorra because of neck and back problems.  Meanwhile, Fabio Capello says he is undecided whether to hand Joe Cole a starting role in Zagreb.

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CG