Football: England hit by injuries

TERRY VENABLES said last night that he was not dismayed by the mass withdrawals which have devalued his two-day England training camp at Bisham Abbey. Alan Shearer, of Blackburn, and Manchester United's Paul Parker and Gary Pallister head the list of players who have pulled out of the squad which assembled last night.

'It's frankly much as I'd expect at this time of the season when players do get knocks of this sort,' Venables said. 'But we are still looking forward to having a useful get-together.'

Shearer injured his ankle during Saturday's defeat at Southampton and his club- mate, David Batty, has also withdrawn with a foot problem. Pallister's back and Parker's ankle rule them out while Tony Coton (knee) and Des Walker (ankle) are further absentees.

Tony Dorigo, the Leeds defender who missed yesterday's win over Tottenham, was another ruled unfit. Spurs' Darren Anderton sustained a groin strain and also withdrew.

Wales have also been hit before Wednesday's Wrexham friendly with Sweden. United's Mark Hughes and Ryan Giggs head the list of yesterday's withdrawals. Also out are Dean Saunders (back), Eric Young (back) and Chris Coleman (knee). Ryan Jones (groin) is also unfit while doubts persist over his Sheffield Wednesday colleague, Sweden's Roland Nilsson (ankle).

Eight goals in 29 second-half minutes gave England's women a 10-0 win over Slovenia at Brentford yesterday to help them qualify for the European Championship quarter-finals.