London, June 8 (DPA) Gareth Barry confirmed Tuesday that he will miss England’s football World Cup opener against the United States.
Barry suffered an ankle injury at the beginning of last month, and had been a doubt for the squad, but he recovered ahead of schedule and will resume full training on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old will not, though, be fit enough for Saturday’s match in Rustenburg.
‘I’ve been told I’m not playing against US to give me more time,’ Barry told www.newsoftheworld.co.uk.
In Barry’s absence, Capello looks likely to team Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in central midfield Saturday, with Joe Cole occupying the left-sided berth, as they started in Monday’s 3-0 warm-up win over league side Platinum All-Stars.
