Source: Daily_Mail
England's Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland hit with striker crisis
ShareFabio Capello is facing up to a severe striker crisis for England's Euro 2012 qualifier with Switzerland next month.[LNB]Capello already knew Wayne Rooney was suspended and Steven Gerrard had been ruled out for the remainder of the season.[LNB]However, the thrilling last day of the Premier League season just brought a succession of bad news for Capello.[LNB] Big man up top: Carroll and Crouch both have question marks over their fitness[LNB]Andy Carroll has virtually been ruled out by Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, who did not include his record signing at Aston Villa yesterday because he feared aggravating a knee injury would rule the Geordie out of pre-season.[LNB]Peter Crouch left Tottenham's final-day win over Birmingham during the first half after a clash of heads with Curtis Davies.[LNB]Crouch will be checked later today but Harry Redknapp could give no guarantees about his chances of facing the Swiss, whilst Mark Hughes was even more negative about Bobby Zamora, who scored Fulham's second against Arsenal yesterday but was replaced by Zoltan Gera almost immediately.[LNB]'I don't think he is ready for any games at the end of the year,' said Hughes. 'He needs a full pre-season and once the Premier League has started again I would imagine he would be very much in the England manager's mind.'[LNB] Not in Wayne's world: Rooney is suspended for the crunch clash with Switzerland[LNB]It leaves Capello scratching his head for options before he announces his squad this afternoon.[LNB]Aston Villa's Darren Bent is certain to be involved after scoring in each of his last three internationals.[LNB]Jermain Defoe is also sure of his place despite being out of form in recent weeks.Ashley Young has also been used as a striker more recently by Capello, although he picked up a minor calf problem against Liverpool yesterday.[LNB]The only other plausible candidates for Capello are another Aston Villa man, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge - who has excelled at Bolton this term - and Kevin Davies.[LNB] Possible choice: Chelsea's on-loan striker Daniel Sturridge could be handed a first senior cap[LNB]The Trotters skipper won his first cap in the October draw with Montenegro at Wembley but has not been picked since.[LNB]However, with so few alternatives, Davies may well come under consideration once more.[LNB]Capello is also trying to persuade West Ham's Robert Green not to abandon the Three Lions but if he fails, Scott Carson and Fulham second choice David Stockdale are set to be named as back-up to Joe Hart.[LNB]Rio Ferdinand is also expected to be included for the first time since Capello handed the captaincy back to John Terry. [LNB] VIDEO SPECIAL: Sportsmail picks its top 10 goals of the 2010/11 seasonGlory, glory, Man United! Fergie's men lift the Premier League trophy at Old TraffordBlackpool and Birmingham feel the pain as Wolves, Wigan and Blackburn party Survival Sunday: How the drama unfolded on the final day of the season[LNB] Explore more:People: Kevin Davies, Robert Green, John Terry, Mark Hughes, Fabio Capello, Ashley Young, Harry Redknapp, Andy Carroll, Kenny Dalglish, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Darren Bent, Joe Hart, Peter Crouch, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Bobby Zamora, Jermain Defoe, Steven Gerrard, Daniel Sturridge Places: Liverpool, Birmingham, Montenegro, United Kingdom, Switzerland
