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Monday, 14 October, 2002, 15:11 GMT 16:11 UK
Dyer out of England squad
![]() Dyer trained on Monday but was later ruled out
England v Macedonia | Wed 16 October KO 2000 BST | Live and interactive on BBC One, BBC Radio Five Live and BBC Sport Online
Newcastle midfielder Kieron Dyer has been ruled out of the England squad for the Euro 2004 qualifier against Macedonia on Wednesday with a back injury. Dyer was a late substitute in Saturday's victory over Slovakia. The 23-year-old trained with the rest of the squad on Monday but later succumbed to the back strain which he first felt in the 2-1 win. Dyer has been sent back to Newcastle to receive further treatment on the problem and will miss the tie at Southampton's St Mary's stadium.
His withdrawal reduces Sven-Goran Eriksson's left-sided options and the England coach may now opt for a front three of Emile Heskey, Michael Owen and Alan Smith. But Eriksson received some good news when defender Sol Campbell was declared fit. Arsenal's Campbell missed the opening qualifying win in Slovakia because of a bout of gastro-enteritis. He was not well enough to travel to Bratislava, but has now trained fully with the squad and is likely to return at the expense of Leeds defender Jonathon Woodgate. Eriksson must also solve his midfield dilemma after an uncertain performance from his side before they finally snatched a 2-1 victory against Slovakia.
He selected his four first-choice midfielders - Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Steven Gerrard and David Beckham - but they were outplayed in the opening 45 minutes. Scholes struggled on the left flank before he was moved inside, now Eriksson must decide whether to re-shuffle his midfield.
He said: "I've seen Paul Scholes play well on the left side for Manchester United before, but it was important to move him centrally in the second-half and we kept the ball much better then "I think that Nicky Butt and Steven Gerrard can play together, but we were not successful in the first-half and they did a bit of the same work as each other. "We will see what we do on Wednesday." Heskey would be one solution on the left flank, but he would seem more likely to continue alongside Owen up front, even if Eriksson could switch to a three-pronged attack with Smith. Heskey impressed in the second half in Slovakia, especially as he and Ashley Cole were subjected to appalling racial abuse. Eriksson said: "Emile was very strong and kept the ball well. He has not got the qualities of Beckham but he has other qualities and was very important for us."
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13 Oct 02 | England
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