England vs. Holland: Injuries Will Destroy English Squad's Hopes in Friendly
England and Holland will renew their storied, relatively one-sided rivalry with an International Friendly on Wednesday in Wembley Stadium. Unfortunately for the host squad, their roster is so depleted right now that any hopes they have of coming out victorious are virtually nonexistent.
The English squad will be without Wayne Rooney, who is battling a throat infection, and Darren Bent, whose ankle injury has left him sidelined and Tim Cleverly, who is also dealing with ankle problems.
Instead, it will turn to Daniel Sturridge, Danny Walbeck and Fraizer Campbell against a loaded Dutch squad that will look to end its streak of draws against a broken down English squad.
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English manager Stuart Pearce is trying to bring a youth movement to the squad for this game that is going to backfire.
Matt Lawton of the UK Daily Mail wrote that the Dutch squad will basically be like sharks who smell young blood in the water and are ready to attack.
"...Pearce’s decision to omit a number of his more senior centre halves certainly will. While Micah Richards can play a central role, the three centre halves the interim manager has selected have 12 caps only between them. Gary Cahill has seven of those, with Phil Jones and Chris Smalling having never previously been selected to play in that position for the senior national side.
Manchester City’s Gareth Barry is also a major doubt with a back spasm and hamstring injury.
On Sunday night, the FA suggested Pearce might call up another striker but it is unlikely to ease a problem that gives the Under 21 manager a harsh introduction to life as England boss.
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Holland was already a deeper squad than England before the injuries hit. When you look at where these two rosters are at right now, it is going to be a long, lonely night for Pearce and his squad.
Injuries are a natural part of the game, but when you look at everything that the English squad is up against right now, it is almost unfair.
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