England suffer new injury blow

14 April 2012

Jermain Defoe's chances of playing for England tomorrow increased substantially today when rival Emile Heskey was forced to pull out of the squad ahead of the friendly against Ukraine.

Birmingham striker Heskey has a hamstring strain and coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has decided not to call up a replacement.

That means the Swede has to choose between Tottenham's Defoe, Darius Vassell and Alan Smith when he decides who will partner Michael Owen up front.

Meanwhile, Owen today insisted Eriksson has the full backing of the squad despite the fall-out from his affair with Faria Alam.

Owen said: "No one inside the England camp underestimates Sven but I think maybe a few people outside might do.

"They aren't aware of the things he says and does and the way he creates a feelgood factor."

Owen believes England will peak at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He said: "The weather will be like we are used to and our players will be at their peak."

A slimmer David Beckham has set the record straight about his lacklustre Euro 2004.

He said: "I put on muscle last season. But I haven't done weights for four months and have lost a bit of weight."

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