Double Injury Blow

Trevor Sinclair has withdrawn from the England squad to face Macedonia and Slovakia in the European Championship qualifiers next week - and Jermain Defoe is likely to be pulled out of the under-21s.

Explains Glenn Roeder: "Trevor has come out of the squad as he has a badly bruised toe and Sven Goran Eriksson doesn't want to take anyone abroad who is not fully fit.

"Of course that is a blow for him, but I am always pleased when any of the players are picked so I was glad to see him named originally.

"We expect Jermain to be withdrawn as well from the under-21s as he has a very sore groin."

As for Joe Cole not being selected for the full squad, but being put in the under-21s, Glenn adds: "I spoke to Joe and he is obviously disappointed not to be in the full squad - but he has kept his disappointment to a sensible degree.

"He said to me he is looking forward positively to playing for the under-21s, and regards it as an honour to wear any England shirt.

"A few players have refused to play for England in that circumstance over the years but Joe has a tremendous attitude."

Joe was taken off with a dead leg on Saturday but Glenn adds: "I had to take him off against Birmingham but with treatment he should be fine in a few days."