James Milner misses training again

James Milner was the most notable absentee from England’s training session in Rustenburg this morning through illness, although it is not thought it will keep him out of the World Cup group C opener against the United States on Saturday.

The Aston Villa midfield player sat out the session with what was described as a “high temperature” after playing the second half of yesterday’s 3-0 warm-up victory over the Platinum Stars. The players will have this afternoon off, when the squad are planning to go on safari.



Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ledley King and Ashley Cole did not take part in the main training session, preferring to spend their time working in the gym and the swimming pool. Wright-Phillips took a knock on his knee in yesterday’s match, but the injury is thought to be minor.

Rio Ferdinand, who damaged knee ligaments in England’s first training session last Friday, watched from the sidelines on crutches at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus. The Manchester United defender is staying with the squad this week, but will travel home after the United States match.

Michael Dawson, who flew out to replace Ferdinand, had his first taste of action in yesterday’s warm-up game, playing the second half. The Tottenham Hotpsur defender expects the team to do themselves justice in South Africa. “I have confidence in the squad to succeed,” he said. “When you look at the quality of the players, it’s scary how good they are. We’ve got world-class players and I am sure we can do well.”

King is expected to replace Ferdinand at the heart of the England defence against the United States and Dawson believes his Tottenham team-mate will rise to the occasion. “Ledley is a top class centre-half,” he said. “When he has been fit this last season, he has shown that. He has been playing at the level everyone knows he can play at.”