Gareth Barry has confirmed he will miss England's opening World Cup match against the United States on Saturday.
The 29-year-old has made a quicker recovery than expected from the ankle injury he sustained playing for Manchester City at the start of May.
Barry was given a deadline of 13th June, the day after the United States match, to begin full training, but will actually have a major involvement in all sessions from Tuesday onwards. Manager Fabio Capello, however, has already announced Barry was not expected to face the USA for fear of putting his return to full fitness at risk.
And Barry has now confirmed the Italian is sticking to that decision.
"I've been told I'm not playing against USA to give me more time," Barry told the News of the World's website.
"I'll be back in full training with the team tomorrow."
Capello is expected to pair Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in central midfield on Saturday in Barry's absence, with Joe Cole taking the left-sided berth.
The threesome all started in England's 3-0 win over the Platinum Stars on Monday, with Cole the only player to feature for the full 90 minutes.
http://www.skysports.com/football/world-cup-2010/story/0,27032,12098_6195831,00.html
