World Cup 2010: Gareth Barry out for four weeks raising England fears

07 May 2010 14:12
Barry suffered an ankle injury in the 1-0 defeat to Tottenham on Wednesday night which ended Manchester City's hopes of securing a Champions League berth this season. [LNB]The former Aston Villa captain had already been ruled out of Sunday's trip to West Ham, but now looks set for a month lay-off. [LNB] Related ArticlesWest Ham United v Manchester City: match previewFalse dawn over CityGareth Barry injury fear for World CupEngland World Cup squad: Pick your teamLiverpool toast Spurs victoryTime to get serious about Redknapp"I feel very sorry for him," said City manager Roberto Mancini. "Gareth is a fantastic guy and a fantastic player. [LNB]"I hope he can play in the World Cup but Fabio Capello and his medical staff must decide." [LNB]Barry does have time to recover as a four-week absence from today would still give him seven days to get fit ahead of England's opening Group C encounter with the United States in Rustenburg on June 12. [LNB]However, the former Aston Villa man will definitely be absent from the friendlies against Mexico and Japan, which cover two training camps in Austria, time Capello views as essential preparation ahead of departure to South Africa. [LNB]Given Barry's status as a regular member of Capello's first-choice line-up and the fact alternatives are not extensive, with widely-accepted replacement Michael Carrick struggling for form at Manchester United, the chances are Capello will include Barry in his 30-man provisional squad that will be announced on Tuesday. [LNB]He will then need to assess the player's recovery before finalising his 23-man party on June 1. [LNB]Is Gareth Barry in your England team? Pick your squad for World Cup 2010 - and share it with your friends. [LNB]

Source: Telegraph