• World Cup

Barry to learn World Cup fate on Tuesday

ESPNsoccernet staff
May 23, 2010
Gareth Barry hobbled off of Manchester City's match against Tottenham with an ankle injury © Getty Images
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Gareth Barry is set to learn his World Cup fate on Tuesday when he will undergo a rigorous set of tests with the England medical staff, with Manchester City staff on hand for their own input.

Barry has been out since the beginning of the month with an ankle ligament injury but was still included in Fabio Capello's provisional 30-man squad for the World Cup. The results of the tests will determine whether the 29-year-old has any chance of making the plane for South Africa.

Fabio Capello has already stated that if Barry is likely to be fit for the opening Group C game against the United States in Rustenburg, he will be part of his 23-man Three Lions party that is announced on June 1. However, if recovery is not certain, Capello has a tricky decision to make.

Capello has previously stated he will not select anyone who would not be capable of facing the United States. That was before one of the trusted members of his starting line-up was struck down.

"Barry is one of the players we want to be fit,'' said Capello. "If he is fit, he will come with us. If not, he will stay at home.''

The one safety net Capello does have is that FIFA's rules for squad selection allow any player ruled out through injury after the final squads are confirmed to be replaced until 24 hours before a country's first game.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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