Barry running out of time to prove fitness

Written by Matt Pitt Friday, 28 May 2010 10:22

England World Cup Blog

Time is running out for Manchester City defensive midfielder Gareth Barry to prove his fitness to Fabio Capello. The 29-year old has until Tuesday 1 June to show he is fully fit otherwise he will miss out on a place  in the final 23-man squad travelling to South Africa.

Barry is an integral part of Fabio Capello's side, having started in 19 of the Italian's 22 games in charge but an ankle ligament injury sustained in the 1-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on May 5 looks like resigning Barry to the sidelines for the 2010 World Cup.

Capello has stated he will only take fully fit players to the World Cup and has already started to look at possible replacements for the holding role in midfield in the shape of Michael Carrick. However, the Manchester United man looked out of place in the 3-1 victory over Mexico in midweek and Alex Ferguson even dropped him for some of Manchester United's biggest games last season.

Other possible replacements touted are James Milner, who I believe to be best utilised out wide or in a more attacking role or West Ham's Scott Parker who had a brilliant season despite The Hammers lagging fortunes.

Capello has already states that Owen Hargreaves, his first choice for the holding midfield role, will not be included after only playing 30 seconds of football in the 2009-10 season and only three games in the season before last. Whilst Hargreaves is probably England's best player in that position taking him to South Africa would be a huge gamble and not one Capello is prepared to take.

Another player who will not be asked to play in Barry's position is Steven Gerrard who Capello says is far too dangerous in the final third of the pitch to be asked to sit back in fron of the defence.

A different formation may be deployed if a suitable replacement can not be found in time, Capello has toyed with the idea of playing three centre backs and using Glen Johnson and Ashley Cole as wing backs but he is yet to try this out in a competative match. Playing this way would allow Gerrard, Lampard and possibly Joe Cole to play together as three attack minded midfielders.

Barry could still potentially make the squad even if he is not fit as a FIFA ruling allows one change to the final 23-man squad up to 24 hours before the first match is played. However, Capello seems the type of manager who like to have everything in place well in advance so it looks like unless Barry can prove his fitness before Tuesday he will not be taking part at the 2010 World Cup.

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