UEFA block Butt replacement

Injury blow: Nicky Butt

England were dealt another blow today as UEFA ruled out any chance of calling up a replacement for the injured Nicky Butt.

Confirmation came today that the Manchester United midfielder had damaged medial knee ligaments, which normally take three to four weeks to heal.

Butt was injured in training yesterday and had an MRI scan this morning.

The results will rule him out of the rest of the tournament and he looks certain to be withdrawn from the squad.

The FA asked UEFA about the rules regarding replacements, with Chelsea's Scott Parker the likely choice.

However, behind the scenes it was becoming clear that UEFA did not regard this as an "exceptional circumstance" even though England's next opponents Switzerland have been allowed to call up a replacement goalkeeper.

FA spokesman Adrian Bevington said: "We have asked UEFA for an explanation of the rules regarding replacements and we have yet to hear."

UEFA later confirmed there was no way England would be allowed to call up a replacement because it was not allowed under the tournament rules.

UEFA spokesman William Gaillard said: "You can't call up another player after the tournament has kicked off. We are sorry."

The only exception to the strict rule was made at Euro 96 when Germany were allowed to call up a player because they were suffering with an unusually large number of injuries in the later stages of the competition.

Sven-Goran Eriksson is well covered in midfield, with Owen Hargreaves, Kieron Dyer, Phil Neville and Joe Cole all available. This would tend to back up UEFA's view.

Against Switzerland on Thursday, Hargreaves looks the favourite to replace Paul Scholes, who is a major doubt after twisting his ankle.

There were a number of absentees from training today including captain David Beckham, Sol Campbell and Steven Gerrard, who were all suffering from blisters. Gary Neville also missed the session with a slight calf strain.

The Swiss have been allowed to call up a new goalkeeper, Sebastien Roth, to replace the injured Fabrice Borer in their squad.

As goalkeepers are a specialist position, UEFA regard this as an "exceptional circumstance".

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