Sven Goran Eriksson will name his squad to face Turkey this afternoon after enduring a worrying weekend as a result of the injury to Michael Owen and after seeing David Beckham limp out of Real Madrid's 2-1 win against Espanyol last night.
With Owen rated only as 50-50 to make the trip, the loss of skipper Beckham would be a catastrophic double whammy for the England coach, but Becks is confident he'll recover in plenty of time to face Turkey and those who know the Liverpool striker reckon he'll be fit too.
Beckham received a standing ovation when he came off three minutes from time last night and whilst he could be seen physically wincing as he took his seat in the dug out, he emerged later to allay any fears that he might miss out on the biggest match of the year.
After the match, Beckham told Sky Sports: "I've had a few problems with the injury but that's not going to be any problem for England. I got a dead leg in the first 20 minutes. It was aching at the end of the match but once again, it's not a problem.
"I'm sure I will be okay after a day or so and it goes without saying that I'm looking forward to the game in Istanbul. Hopefully, Michael will be okay too because he is such an important player for England, especially in big games like this.
"Michael has a 50-50 chance of making it and of course we want him fit for the game," added Becks who said of the match itself: "We want to go for the win, it's as simple as that, because it would be too risky to go there and play for the draw."
As for potential crowd problems in Turkey, the captain added: "I think the supporters issue will be sorted out and we just have to concentrate on the football. It is out of the players' hands. We just have to concentrate on football. We need a result out there, then we just want to get back home."
Liverpool legend Ian Rush, meanwhile, reckons there's only one thing which would force Owen to pull out of this massive game - if he couldn't walk at all. "We all know how much Michael wants to play for his country and there's no way he'll be content to sit this one out. I'm sure he'll be there."
Also on the injury front, Turkey's veteran striker Hakan Sukur has announced that he is doubtful for the visit of England after limping out of his side's 4-3 win over Sebatspor on Saturday.
Sukur, with 40 goals from 87 international appearances, said: "I am angry and frustrated that this should happen now because I know how much this game means to the Turkish people. As captain I have a special responsibility but at the moment my chances are uncertain."
Turkey's technical director Can Cobanoglu said: "Hakan is very important - we need him. We will leave the decision on his fitness until Saturday."
Referee Kim Milton Nielsen, the man who sent off Becks during the 1998 World Cup clash with Argentina, is a definite injury victim after damaging a thigh muscle during a Danish league game at the weekend. UEFA will name a replacement in the next few days.
Paul Scholes knows all about injury problems but his return to fitness and form in the last week is a major boost for Eriksson who feared the Manchester United playmaker might have to go under the knife again to cure a hernia problem.
Rest and a cortisone injection have enabled Scholes to put off a trip to the hospital though and after inspiring United's 3-0 win over Birmingham on Saturday, he said: "I feel okay. I'm a little bit tired after three games in a week but my injury feels fine and hopefully it'll stay like that. I'm back I hope I can stay that way for the rest of the season."
As for the Turkey match, Scholes added: "It's a big game and hopefully one we can do well in. It's always nice to get a win to go into an international break it puts you in a good mood and you look forward to coming back."
