Parlour resigned to missing out

Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour admits Sven-Goran Eriksson is right to continue to overlook him from the England squad in the build-up to the Euro 2004 finals.

Parlour was again expecting to be left out of the squad named today for next weekend’s friendly against Denmark, even though Eriksson has a number of injury problems.

A squad which seems likely to include youngsters Scott Parker and Glen Johnson looks sure to be without Michael Owen, who pulled out of Liverpool’s game against Manchester United with a recurrence of his ankle injury yesterday.

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier told Sky Sports: “Michael could feel his ankle again and decided not to take part against Manchester United.

“He would not play if not 100 per cent fit. I don’t think he can take part in the international game either.”

Eriksson responded: “I don’t know much about it yet. I know Michael had problems so we will speak and probably he is out – but I have not got it confirmed yet.

“It would be better to have him there but if players are injured, they can’t play.”

Along with Owen, who also missed England’s last game in Turkey due to injury, Eriksson could be without Paul Scholes, Kieron Dyer and Owen Hargreaves as well.

That could spell a deserved second senior call-up for Charlton’s emerging star Parker – as long as he too can shake off an injury scare.

Parlour, meanwhile, accepts he is unlikely to play for his country again despite consistent recent form for Arsenal.

Parlour, now 30, last played for England in the experimental friendly under Peter Taylor in Italy in November 2000, just before Eriksson took charge.

Although the Swede has since twice selected him in squads – the last time being in the summer of 2001 – he has been forced to pull out through injury on both occasions.

Parlour admitted: “Of course, I would love to play for England again but it is a big ‘if’. If I did then great, but I can’t see it happening and I won’t hold my breath.

“I think what Sven is doing is right, he is bringing in youngsters and trying to bed them in before the next World Cup.

“I am not getting any younger and by the time it comes along, I am probably going to be too old. I am disappointed that I didn’t get a chance with Sven-Goran Eriksson but that is football.

“You can’t keep on changing your squad, you need to keep a settled squad like we have here at Arsenal. That is good for England really.”

Eriksson may still look to experiment with a handful of younger players in the friendlies leading up to the Euro 2004 finals.

With Rio Ferdinand unavailable for selection as he awaits his hearing for failing to take a drugs test and Jonathan Woodgate injured, Chelsea’s 19-year-old defender Johnson looks set to be given his first senior call-up.

Parlour, meanwhile, is left to reflect on what could have been – if only his shot against the underside of the bar in Finland in a 2002 World Cup qualifier had been given.

He recalled with a wry smile: “That could have changed my life if it had been awarded, but it wasn’t – and it did go over the line!”