Source: Liverpool_Echo
Everton FC defender Phil Jagielka gives England boss Fabio Capello a fitness boost
FABIO CAPELLO breathed a sigh of relief last night after it was confirmed all 24 members of his squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers with Bulgaria and Switzerland are fit enough to remain at England HQ.[LNB]The Three Lions gathered for their first competitive fixtures since the disastrous World Cup campaign with major question marks over the fitness of Phil Jagielka and Spurs duo Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe.[LNB]Jagielka suffered a bruised foot during Everton's defeat at Aston Villa on Sunday, while Crouch was forced out of Tottenham's home loss to Wigan with a sore rib and Defoe has a long-standing groin complaint manager Harry Redknapp felt would require surgery.[LNB]However, the word coming out of England's Watford training base this evening is that all three players are to remain within camp.[LNB] Although that cannot be taken as confirmation any, or all, of them will be fit for Friday night's encounter with a Bulgaria side adjusting to life without star man Dimitar Berbatov, who has retired from international duty, it does mean they have a chance of being involved at some stage.[LNB]It is a major bonus for Capello, who lost influential Chelsea pair John Terry and Frank Lampard to weekend injuries and already has to cope with skipper Rio Ferdinand being on the sidelines after the freak knee ligament problem he sustained before the World Cup began.[LNB]Jagielka in particular would be regarded as a certainty to start on Friday if he is fit, although in drafting Matthew Upson into his squad yesterday, Capello has given himself experienced cover in addition to Michael Dawson and Gary Cahill, who have just one cap between them, and Joleon Lescott, who has played all his football for Manchester City so far this season at left-back.
