Capello unsure of Barry comeback
The 29-year-old damaged ankle ligaments in a fall during Manchester City’s Premier League defeat to Tottenham last week and although Roberto Mancini did not think the problem was too bad at the time, it has turned out to be much worse.
As recently as Monday, Capello claimed Barry stood little chance of being fit, giving rise to speculation that Owen Hargreaves was about to earn a shock call-up to the 30-man provisional squad the Italian unveiled yesterday.
However, after further discussions with England doctor Ian Beasley and trusted assistant Franco Baldini, Capello has opted to select Barry, then wait until his next check-up on May 24 before deciding whether the midfielder can play any meaningful role in the tournament.
“The next check for Barry’s ankle will be the May 24. We will wait for that before making the next decision.
“We don’t know what chance Gareth Barry has of being fit but we have time to decide.”
FIFA’s rules on injured players mean that although Barry cannot be replaced in Capello’s 30-man squad, if he kept his place for the final 23, which must be handed in on June 1, he could still withdraw through an injury that had been verified and that replacement would not have to be drawn from the men England submitted yesterday.
Capello confirmed Paul Scholes delivered an 11th hour World Cup snub. Capello’s 30-man provisional squad included Jamie Carragher, who he successfully managed to talk out of retirement.
Yet Capello’s hopes of having a double cause for celebration were dashed by Scholes.
“I tried. It was up to him. He said no,” said Capello. “We have been monitoring him for the second part of the season and he has played very well.
The Italian had more luck with Carragher.
“The World Cup and the Champions League are the highest levels of football,” said Carragher.
“I am not getting any younger, we have no Champions League next season and I am keen to work under Fabio Capello.”
Elsewhere Ronaldinho and Adriano will both miss the World Cup in South Africa after being omitted from the 23-man Brazil squad named by Dunga yesterday.
The 30-year-old Ronaldinho, who was the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005, has been in good form for AC Milan this season but has missed out on Dunga’s squad for the finals in 2010, along with clubmate Alexandre Pato.
Manchester City’s French midfielder Patrick Vieira and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema have been omitted from France’s 30-man preliminary squad.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s international career appears over after the veteran missed out on Bert van Marwijk’s 30-man preliminary squad.
Meanwhile Francesco Totti and Luca Toni have been left out of Marcello Lippi’s Italy squad.
Coach of hosts South Africa Carlos Alberto Parreira has made few surprise choices in his preliminary squad but Benni McCarthy, is named despite his recent injury troubles.
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