TheSportsCampus

The English team will be without Manchester City star Gareth Barry in next month's European Championship after the midfielder picked up an injury in the 1-0 friendly win against Norway on Saturday. Manager Roy Hodgson has called up Everton's Phil Jagielka to join the side for training before the competition kicks off.

The 31 year-old limped off the field in the second half after playing for just under half an hour, after replacing Steven Gerrard at half-time. Hodgson did not rule out the player immediately but scans on today revealed that the player had suffered from a torn muscle in his lower abdomen.

In an interview with the FA website, Hodgson said, "I'm very disappointed to lose Gareth, not only was he a member of my original 23-man squad but he has featured prominently in the England team over the last few years. I know how much he wanted to be part of the tournament but I'm sure he will still have a part to play with England after the Euros. I wish him a speedy recovery."

A mainstay of Manchester City's title winning midfield this season, the Englishman is a quality international, with 53 caps to his name. Barry's injury will be a shock to the fans backing the Three Lions in the Euros and his teammates will also rue losing out on his experience. It is widely speculated that this will mean Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker will now pair up alongside Steven Gerrard in the heart of the England midfield.

Meanwhile, Everton's Phil Jagielka, who played the full 90 minutes in Norway, has been called up to replace the injured Barry. The 29 year-old has featured 11 times for the national side and generally plays at a central defender. His inclusion could mean that Hodgson was sufficiently impressed by Jagielka's performance to consider using him at the Championships and may use the versatile Phil Jones in a midfield position if need be. Jagielka's inclusion dashes the hopes of Liverpool's Jordan Henderson to feature in the European Championships with the rookie Anfield man the only midfielder originally named on Hodgon's standby list.

Hodgson will hope that his squad is completely fit before Tuesday when he has to announce his final squad for the Euros to avoid taking any half-fit players for the tournament.