Hart joins England absentees
16 Nov 2008 - 19:04:47
Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has been ruled out of England's friendly against Germany on Wednesday.
Hart, 21, was hoping to make his first start for the full national side after being named in an experimental 23-man squad by coach Fabio Capello for the encounter in Berlin.
But the England Under-21 regular limped out of City's 2-2 draw with Hull City on Sunday evening after being involved in a collision with Tigers striker Daniel Cousin.
The former Shrewsbury Town youngster is now expected to be out of action for around one month after scans revealed he suffered ankle ligament damage.
Hart's injury blow comes on the same day that Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard was withdrawn from the squad after suffering a leg muscle injury on Saturday.
Capello was already without a host of star names for the game, with Manchester United pair Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand, plus Chelsea duo Joe Cole and Ashley Cole all absent through injury.