Steve McManaman, whose career in Spain has begun so promisingly, could miss England's friendly against Belgium in Sunderland on October 10 after being injured in Real Madrid's 3-1 Champions League win over Porto on Tuesday.
McManaman left the field after 56 minutes with a groin strain and his manager John Toshack has said the former Liverpool winger is also doubtful for the league game against Barcelona on October 13.
By contrast the chances of West Ham's Frank Lampard making his international debut at the Stadium of Light appeared to have increased yesterday. The captain's name was conspicuous by its absence from the England Under-21 squad named by Howard Wilkinson for the match against Denmark on October 8.
Kevin Keegan names the full squad tomorrow and, with David Batty facing a two-game European ban for his sending-off in Poland, Lampard is expected to be given a chance in midfield prior to a potential Euro 2000 play-off.