Hargreaves to get shock chance?
England's medical staff have questioned the chances of Gareth Barry being fit within four weeks - and it means Manchester United's Owen Hargreaves could get a shock call-up into the World Cup squad.
Last weekend Hargreaves made his first appearance in just over 20 months, coming on for the final 20 seconds of a 1-0 win at Sunderland. It could be one of the most remarkable comebacks if he is called up for the provisional World Cup squad of 30 to be named on Tuesday.
The news comes after Barry was ruled out with ankle ligament damage, with his club stating he would be out of action for four weeks.
But Soccernet can reveal that it is believed Barry will not be able to play for seven weeks, and he will link up with the England backroom staff on Monday for an assessment ahead of the squad announcement.
Fabio Capello hasn't given up hope on Barry, but Hargreaves is "under consideration" for a sensational comeback. Soccernet has been told by FA insiders that Hargreaves is most definitely a frontrunner for a shock return to the national team.
My source tells me: "One week ago I would have said that it is a little too late for Owen Hargreaves - not now. With Gareth Barry's situation, Owen Hargreaves has a chance - for certain. It is possible that he will be invited to attend the England training camp as a member of the provisional squad of 30.
"Hargreaves has had just 20 seconds football, maybe he will get a little longer on Sunday, but it is now possible that he will get the chance to make the 23.
"There will be no decision on Gareth Barry, though, until Monday, when the England medical staff have the opportunity to assess his injury.
"Initially we were told that it was five or six weeks, but it might even be six or even seven weeks, which would have ruled him out. However, the club have made a statement that it could be four weeks, and if that is true, that will give him some chance.
"We are dealing with a ligament injury though, and the medical staff will need to take a careful look at him, to check precisely how deep the injury is. If it is confirmed that it will be 100% four weeks, then probably he will have time to recover and will be in the 30."
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