Parrett flies home
By Nicholas Veevers in Armenia
Tuesday, 09 August, 2011
Squad reduced to 19 as midfielder returns to England with injury.
England U20s midfielder Dean Parrett will fly home from Colombia on Tuesday afternoon, after picking up an injury which will keep him out of the remaining games in the World Cup.
The Tottenham Hotspur star had a scan on Monday which revealed a groin tear and he will now return to his club for further treatment.
It means that the Young Lions will go into their Second Round game with Nigeria on Wednesday evening with a squad of 19 players and a number of other injury concerns.
Defender Blair Adams is already ruled out with a hamstring problem which he picked up in the late stages of last week’s game with Argentina and James Hurst is likely to join him on the sidelines after suffering a tweak in training on Monday.
Vice-captain Reece Wabara, whose grandfather played for Nigeria, also had a fitness test on Tuesday and it depends if there is any further reaction to his hamstring before knowing whether he will be fit enough to take his place in defence against the Africans.
“We’ve already had to send one player home in Ryan Noble and now Dean Parrett is out for the rest of the tournament unfortunately,” said Head Coach Brian Eastick.
“He has a groin tear and won’t be available for any more matches, so he will be flying back to England and his club this evening.
“So we are down to 19 players now, including three goalkeepers.
“Blair Adams definitely won’t be fit for Wednesday and James Hurst is also doubtful. Reece Wabara has had a fitness test today and hopefully he will have no reaction to his hamstring overnight and will be available to play.”
Parrett made two substitute appearances in the World Cup, against Korea DPR and Mexico.
The game with Nigeria takes place in Armenia on Wednesday evening and the squad trained at the Estadio Centenario on Tuesday morning.