Soccer:The respective club managers of two England stalwarts have cast serious doubt over whether their players are fit enough to take part in Euro 2012 next month.
Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has insisted one-time England captain Rio Ferdinand cannot play two games in four days, while Tottenham's Harry Redknapp says the most recent skipper Scott Parker, is nursing an Achilles injury he described as a "long-termn concern".
Ferguson was actually explaining why he had written to the Football Association stating that none of his over-age players, with the exception of Ryan Giggs, would be available for selection for the Great Britain Olympic squad this summer.
However, with England set to face at least three games in eight days and at most six matches in three weeks days next month, the same fears over Ferdinand's fitness appear to apply.
"In the Olympics you play something like a game every four days. Rio Ferdinand couldn't do that," Ferguson told MUTV.
With Roy Hodgson set to name his European Championships squad on Wednesday, Ferguson's words provide him with a new dilemma to ponder.
Thus far, Hodgson is yet to speak with Ferdinand and deposed skipper John Terry about their willingness to play alongside each other, with speculation intensifying in recent days that the Manchester United man was more likely to be selected.
However, if Ferguson's words are to be taken at face value, Hodgson may be deciding whether he can afford to take a risk with Ferdinand's fitness, as Fabio Capello did with Ledley King at the World Cup, only for the move to backfire when the Tottenham man's troublesome knees gave way.
Spurs midfielder Parker, who captained England in their last game against the Netherlands in February, is likely to be wanted next month by Hodgson but he has been left out of the starting XI for their last three matches and it is unlikely he will be selected for Sunday's season finale against Fulham - a game the Londoners need to win to secure at least a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Redknapp thinks the 31-year-old may at least have to miss the pre-tournament training camp, which begins on May 21st in Spain, and fears for his fitness over the summer.
He explained: "He's had a problem with his Achilles, I hope it's not going to get worse. It isn't getting any better. It's a long-term concern.
"The way he is at the moment, he is struggling for fitness. It's not a rupture but it is sore. It is bothering him. After tomorrow he will have some injections in it and we'll see if that can clear it up.
"He's been carrying it a few weeks. Maybe the only cure is a bit of rest but maybe the injections might clear it up. The specialist thinks it will clear up but it will need 10 days' rest afterwards."
