Injured Carrick withdraws from England squad

The Manchester United midfielder had been carrying a knock sustained in the Champions League final when he reported for duty ahead of the Euro 2012 qualifyer.

England’s medical staff have released the 29-year-old back to Old Trafford for treatment after he had been unable to train since arriving on Monday evening.

It was the first time Fabio Capello had selected Carrick since last summer’s World Cup, in which he did not feature.

After sustaining an achilles injury early in the season Carrick struggled to break into the Manchester United side until the second half of the season.

An improvement in form and an injury to Darren Fletcher saw Carrick remain a permanent fixture for United throughout 2011, but he struggled to make an impact in the Champions League final before being replaced by Paul Scholes on 77 minutes.

Carrick is the third player to withdraw ahead of Saturday’s clash, leaving Capello with a squad of 24 players.

Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale was replaced by Robert Green before a wrist injury ruled out Jermain Defoe.