Double blow for England

England have suffered a double setback with Rio Ferdinand and Nicky Butt both forced to withdraw from Wednesday’s Euro qualifier with Liechtenstein at Old Trafford through injury.

Butt played in Macedonia in Saturday’s 2-1 success but has an ongoing ankle problem and will not be fit for the game on his home ground.

Ferdinand missed the game in Skopje with a knee problem and it has not recovered sufficiently for him to be considered against the Group 7 whipping boys.

Football Association media spokesman Adrian Bevington said: “Nicky Butt and Rio Ferdinand unfortunately have had to withdraw from the squad due to injury today.

“Nicky has an ankle problem and will not be recovered in time for Wednesday’s match.

“Rio is still not fully recovered from the problem that kept him out of Saturday’s game.”

England had already lost the services of Manchester City winger Trevor Sinclair with a knee injury before the Macedonia game.

But England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has no plans to call up any replacement into his depleted squad at this stage.

He has already received a boost with the news that midfielder Steven Gerrard has shaken off the ankle problem which stopped him from being part of the side that overcame the Macedonians to be in contention to face Liechtenstein.