It wasn't the best of weekends for Roy Hodgson whose directors’ box snub at Anfield proved, ultimately, to be the least of his worries.
The England boss was further miffed by injuries to Phil Jones and Glen Johnson, as well as an injury concern for Daniel Sturridge, all coming on top of the Wayne Rooney setback.
A full Premiership programme days before an international are always a nightmare for an England manager – and Hodgson is the latest to feel the pinch.
Jack Wilshere played just a bit-part in Arsenal’s North London victory over Spurs, but hopefully his stomach bug will not take him out of the England equation.
The forthcoming clashes with Moldova and Ukraine could well decide England’s World Cup fate, and Hodgson doesn't need his plans further disrupted by injuries and withdrawals.
The England squad as it stands
Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster, Joe Hart, John Ruddy
Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Phil Jagielka, Steven Caulker, Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker.
Midfielders: Ross Barkley, Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Raheem Sterling, Andros Townsend, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere.
Strikers: Jermain Defoe, Rickie Lambert, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck, Ashley Young.
NOW PICK YOUR STARTING XI FOR THE MOLDOVA WORLD CUP CLASH
Here’s our proposed line-up – what’s yours?
1 John Ruddy
2 Kyle Walker
3 Ashley Cole
4 Phil Jagielka
5 Gary Cahill
6 Jack Wilshere
7 Theo Walcott
8 Steven Gerrard
9 Rickie Lambert
10 Frank Lampard
11 Daniel Sturridge
Send your favoured starting XI to webmaster@football.co.uk
Source: DSG
