The Liverpool and Arsenal midfielders could be crucial to England’s Euro 2012 hopes- but will either be available?
If England are to have half a chance at this year’s European Championships, they will undoubtedly need their best players fit.
England’s first choice midfield would likely consist of Scott Parker, Jack Wilshere, and Steven Gerrard.
The big problem here, is that only Parker has been fit on a regular basis this season.
Gerrard is fit now, but can he sustain that? It is a big question and England’s next manager, whoever it is, will be hoping he can.
Since returning from injury he has been in good form, bagging a derby hat-trick against Everton, even if Liverpool’s form has been worse than ever.
He now enters a phase of the season which sees Liverpool put all their hopes in the FA Cup, a high-intensity one-off game, two if Liverpool beat Everton, which will be good preparation for Euro 2012.
All England supporters can do is simply cross their fingers that he does not pick up another injury.
Jack Wilshere on the other hand is a more complex issue. He has missed the entire season with a recurring ankle injury, and now heading into April, he has not played a single game for Arsenal.
Arsene Wenger has said he could make a comeback before the end of the season, providing he does not suffer any further setbacks, a statement not exactly laced with confidence.
Even if Wilshere does come back, there will be some Arsenal fans who would rather he does not go to Euro 2012 and spend the summer resting up instead preparing for next season.
Bearing in mind Wilshere’s patriotic personality, there is little chance of him choosing to sit the tournament out, if he is fit after kicking his heels all season.
If he does not recover, or Gerrard gets injured, England’s midfield options look decidedly thinner.
Sure, there are players like Barry, Lampard, and Milner who can each do a job in the centre of the park, but all have been given opportunities in the past and failed to excite.
Then there is the possibility of Phil Jones, Jack Rodwell, or Tom Cleverley who has failed to recapture his early season form after a string of injuries.
If England came up against Spain and had those three as their midfield trio, no disrespect to them, but Spain would wipe the floor with us in a competitive game.
The three of Wilshere, Gerrard, and Parker may not have a chance against Spain either, Xavi, Iniesta and co. are simply that good, but without them, we may not even get to the knockout phases and be in with a chance of facing the World Champions.
How crucial is it that Gerrard and Wilshere are fit for this summer? Do you think they will be?
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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