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Last Updated: Monday, 18 August, 2003, 16:20 GMT 17:20 UK
England call on Upson
Matthew Upson in action against Slovakia
England v Croatia (highlights)
Wed 20 Aug, 2335 BST, BBC One

Birmingham City defender Matthew Upson has been drafted into the England squad to face Croatia, but Owen Hargreaves has withdrawn through injury.

Sol Campbell and Jonathan Woodgate both missed training on Monday and 22-year-old Bayern Munich utility man Hargreaves withdrew after being assessed by the England medical team.

Hargreaves was expected to start at right-back, but hurt his groin playing for Bayern Munich at the weekend and misses out.

"Owen Hargreaves was assessed by the medical staff on arrival at the team hotel today and it has been decided, after consultation, that he should return to Germany for further treatment," said FA spokesman Adrian Bevington.

Eriksson's defensive worries were exacerbated when Campbell, who has a shoulder problem, and Woodgate, who has a slight knock, missed training on Monday, prompting Upson's call-up.

Upson made his first competitive start for England in the Euro 2004 qualifier against Slovakia earlier in the year.

David Beckham, who has a slight back strain, and Emile Heskey, who has a minor calf injury, also missed the main session as a precautionary measure but both were due to work out in the gym and are expected to feature in Wednesday's game.

Eriksson is definitely without the injured Manchester United defender Gary Neville, while Chelsea's Glen Johnson will instead play for the Under-21s.

Leeds' Danny Mills, picked for England's last three games, has kept his place in the 24-man squad despite being out of favour at his club.

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Eriksson's most likely option at right-back seems to be Phil Neville, who played in midfield against Slovakia in June, but is filling the right-back role for Manchester United in his brother's absence.

England's squad will gather for a full training session on Tuesday, giving those who played for their clubs on Sunday more time to recuperate.

Eriksson will use Wednesday's friendly at Portman Road to try out certain combinations ahead of England's Euro 2004 qualifiers against Macedonia and Liechtenstein next month.





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