|
|
|
||
 |
|||
|
Updated Thursday June 1, 2000 Keegan: Cole was not fit to go to Finals By Dale Johnson
England coach Kevin Keegan has insisted that Andy Cole missed out on a place in his squad for Euro 2000 due to injury - and was not dropped.
David James, Kieron Dyer and Rio Ferdinand were the other unlucky losers from the final 26 hopefuls.
Cole did not to travel with the rest of the squad to Wembley for England's last warm-up game on home soil - a 2-0 win over the Ukraine at Wembley - after Keegan gave those left out the option to return home. But Cole was the only one of the four not to go to the Twin Towers.
Keegan had a two-hour meeting with Cole on Wednesday to try and help the striker come to terms with his omission from the final 22.
Keegan said: 'I don't want anyone to get it wrong - Andy has been suffering with a minor foot problem. It has stopped him from training normally and we feel that it can easily be resolved during the summer but it would have been a risk to take him to Euro 2000.
'There's no doubt about it that had he been fit, I'm certain I would have taken him.'
Keegan made it plain that Cole and the other players left behind did not perform a Gascoigne-style tantrum when told they would not be part of the squad. He continued: 'Credit to them, they were all disappointed but they took it in the right spirit.
'I spent 15 to 20 minutes with each player in their rooms, although Rio Ferdinand was asleep and I didn't want to wake him up!
'I gave every player the option to either go or stay. Because I knew Andy would be a big talking-point, it was right for me to suggest that he should get a car and go home to Manchester.
'He obviously had a slight problem when he arrived. He had not trained for three weeks. He is not fit for Euro 2000 and he couldn't say hand on heart that he's right. It has come too quick for him.
'The last thing he wanted was to come to Euro 2000 as part of the squad and not be able to participate. Don't underestimate this person. I know him as well as anyone and he desperately wanted to come. It was my job to say what I think he knew.
'It would have been the biggest risk of all as Andy wasn't sure about his foot. He was very honest and accepted the fact that it was the right decision. If anyone gets to know him, which is difficult, then he's one hell of a nice person.
'I know him better than most as I've managed him twice - with Newcastle and England. He has to look forward as Alan is retiring from international football and he will be a major contender for that striker's role when he's fit again.'
ENGLAND 22:
David Seaman
|
RELATED: Reaction: Ferdinand wishes England well Cole left out, so he packs bags Phillips' fears prove to be unjustified England 2-0 Ukraine: Fowler repays faith Old warhorse may yet be back for a last gallop |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
