All-clear for Richards
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ByEurosport
Published 23/03/2007 at 14:51 GMT
England manager Steve McClaren has announced he has no further injury problems to contend with ahead of Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel. Defender Micah Richards is set to shake off a calf injury, leaving McClaren without just Jonathan Woodga
FOOTBALL 2006/7 England Micah Richards
Image credit: Imago
Richards missed out on training at Wembley on Thursday, but McClaren confirmed the Manchester City right-back - in the squad as a replacement for the injured Gary Neville - will train with the squad for the first time on Friday.
"Micah should train with the team today - and as long as he comes through everyone will be fit," McClaren said.
But Woodgate will definitely miss out on the clash in Tel Aviv after succumbing to a knee injury. Middlesbough's on-loan centre back stayed in England to undergo treatment, although he could make a return in time for next week's game against Andorra.
"Unfortunately Jonathan has had to go back to club for his further treatment," McClaren said. "But it may be possible that on Sunday or Monday he may be able to come out to join us for Wednesday."
McClaren continued: "We've got 23 players - more than enough to cover every position. It's a team effort - it's up to everybody now. We've done a lot of talking and now have to deliver on the pitch. We've got eight games to qualify."
England head into the game under a certain amount of pressure after two terrible results against Macedonia and Croatia put a serious dent in their campaign to qualify for the tournament in Austria and Switzerland.
McClaren has not been helped by a number of injuries to first-team players, not least those to full-backs Ashley Cole and Gary Neville, but he insisted he still expects a good performance from his side.
"We're to win a game - but we have come here determined to put on a performance," he continued. "If we get that, we've got a good chance of winning. There's always pressure for England - every game is a big game.
"But I've certainly been looking forward to it since the Croatia defeat [in October]. These are the games where we need to deliver."
Follow the match LIVE right here on eurosport.com right there LIVE on Saturday from 18:30 GMT (19:30 GMT).
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