Source: Team_Talk
King fears intensify for England
Fabio Capello insists England's campaign remains on track despite the prospect of being without Ledley King for the rest of the tournament.[LNB] King suffered a groin injury in the first half of Saturday's 1-1 draw with the United States and, after failing to reappear after the interval, looks set to miss at least a fortnight.[LNB]Should King's absence be confirmed, he would be out at least until after a last-16 knockout game and, with his general fitness suffering as a result, is hardly likely to be plunged into a potential quarter-final.[LNB]The 29-year-old's injury further deepens Capello's defensive problems after skipper Rio Ferdinand's tournament was cruelly ended by a knee injury he suffered in training while goalkeeper Robert Green's howler against the United States will ensure question marks remain over his position.[LNB]Yet Capello can see the positives from an opening performance that has done little to shake his belief a place in the final on July 11 can be achieved.[LNB]"I didn't make mistakes and I'm not worried for the future," he insisted.[LNB]"We played a good game and, for me, the most important thing is to see the spirit of the team and also the physical condition of the players.[LNB]"I was worried about the result because it is possible to lose a game like this.[LNB]"We had seven or eight chances. That is good football.[LNB]"But it is not enough just to create the chances. To win we have to score.[LNB]"Twice we were in front of the goal, once with Shaun Wright-Phillips, once with Emile (Heskey). Alone, Absolutely alone."[LNB]That Heskey should miss in such a situation is perhaps hardly a surprise and the Aston Villa man did set up skipper Steven Gerrard for England's fourth-minute opener with a deft touch.[LNB]Had Green not suffered the inexplicable aberration that has put his place in the team to play Algeria on Friday in jeopardy, England would be looking back on a result and a performance that provides plenty to build on.[LNB]As it is, news that King - a man Capello was prepared to take a chance on despite suffering so many recent injury problems - could have played his last game at the tournament merely compounds Green's performance.[LNB]For Green, the damage was completely self-inflicted and Capello now needs to assess the West Ham goalkeeper's mental state before deciding whether to risk him against Algeria.[LNB]"We must think about this problem psychologically," said the England coach.[LNB]"Goalkeepers make mistakes. This is part of football. You have to accept that.[LNB]"I decided on Green because he played very well in the last game against Platinum Stars and also against Mexico at Wembley, and in the second-half last night he played very well and made a really important save. But a mistake remains a mistake.[LNB]"Now I have to speak with him, then I will decide what to do."
