Gareth Barry is a doubt for this summer's World Cup after it was revealed today he is to see a specialist about the ankle injury he suffered in Manchester City's defeat by Tottenham last night.
The midfielder hurt himself when he fell over a team-mate during the second half of the 1-0 defeat that ended City's hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League.
The former Aston Villa man has already been ruled out of Sunday's trip to West Ham and England coach Fabio Capello will be interested to know the results of the scan given Barry would be certainty for his 23-man World Cup squad if fit.
Capello will name his 30-man provisional squad for South Africa on Tuesday and will not want any doubts over a player who is regarded as a first-choice member of his starting line-up, having struck up an impressive midfield partnership with Frank Lampard.
City manager Roberto Mancini claimed last night that the damage was “not too serious” although he admitted he it would require further tests for a full diagnosis to be confirmed.
If the injury is similar to the one Wayne Rooney suffered against Bayern Munich last month, Capello will be relieved.
Although Rooney did not look fit when he returned to action for the second leg a week later, England are not due to depart for the first of two training camps in Austria until May 17, are not scheduled to play until fellow finalists Mexico visit Wembley on May 24 and do not begin their World Cup quest for over five weeks, tackling the United States in Rustenburg on June 12.
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He seems to have had problems long before this injury as he's never dictated play and showed the leadership qualities he had with Villa.It's puzzling really as he seems the Gerrard type of player who would always be consistent and play to a high standard.Is it the player,like Ireland,or is it the way City use,him/them.I have no ideas but find it strange.
Let's not forget we signed a lot of players at the start of the season. One season is not enough for them to work like a well oiled machine. Gareth is class and he has done well for us.
I wish him all the very best in getting fit for the World Cup in africa. I hope he makes it, for me he is as important as Terry or Gerrard.
Next season I'm sure we will see much more from Gareth and all the City squad.
I'm talking top 3 for us. I would normally never commit to such a statement but I have to say, I have every confidence in Gareth and the rest of the squad in going that extra step.
Good Luck Gareth.
He has had a very good season in my view. Steady and commited covers a lot of ground and when he doesnt play we definitely miss him. Not a coincidence that when he went off on Weds night and vieira came on Spurs took control of the game. Just because he doesnt take people ona and score a lot of goals doesnt mean he is not valuable to the team, he does the dirty jobs that a lot of players are interested in like breaking up play and stopping teams playing.
An invaluable player for our future, if ever the saying.....unsung hero was apt for a player it's Barry. showed on Weds how much he brings to the side, as soon as he got injured, Spurs took control. He's not everybodys cup of tea but he'll do for me and obviously for Mancini and Cappello.
I'm more convinced Capello should persuade Paul Scoles to return. He's best holding midfielder of the league at the moment.
He doesn't get forward and score as once but his skill to spread ball and defending technique in front of the back have become more accomplished.
No one is better than him now. Eventually, it was only first four games Barry was excellent as he played a holding role alongside Ireland. His standard has declined after same defensive-minded De Jong became his partner.
He's out for four weeks-1st wc game is 5 weeks tomorrow
no chance he's going to play now, such a shame he was a dead cert to start for england. let's hope AJ sneaks in through the back door so at least we'll have a city play to cheer for in SA.