World Cup Betting: England's full-back woes deepen after Brown injury

120 Team England / Maxliu / 09 March 2010 / 1 Comments Free £25 Bet

England defender Wes Brown is out for six weeks with a broken metatarsal

Manchester United defender joins Cole on the treatment table as Capello is forced to consider full-back options.

"Capello will be paying close attention when Owen Hargreaves makes his return for Manchester United's reserves on Thursday night."

England's defensive problems have deepened after it was revealed that Wes Brown will be out for at least six weeks with a metatarsal injury.

The Manchester United defender, who played right-back for England in last week's win over Egypt, was expected to be selected as cover for Glenn Johnson. With the Liverpool player still working his way back to full fitness and Ashley Cole out with a broken ankle, Fabio Capello may need to find alternatives for both full-back positions.

All three could yet be fit to play in South Africa but, as the Premier League season enters its final stages, the Italian will be concerned at the frequency with which England players are picking up injuries.

After Brown and Johnson, Manchester City's Micah Richards and United's Gary Neville would be the obvious options but Capello doesn't seem to fancy Richards and Neville's domestic appearances this season have been sporadic and erratic.

Instead, he will be paying attention when Owen Hargreaves makes his return for United's reserves on Thursday night. Capello is a long-time admirer of the utility player who starred at the last World Cup, filling in at right-back in the last 16 against Ecuador.

England are currently rated third favourites to win the World Cup at [7.0] behind Brazil [6.2] and favourites Spain [5.2].

Tags: England, footbal betting, Owen Hargreaves, South Africa 2010 betting, Wes Brown, World Cup betting