England Face Double Injury Blow
11th September, 2007
A hearing on Friday will decide English captain Phil Vickery's fate over the cited tripping of United States centre Paul Emerick during the opening World Cup group A match. He could be banned for up to four weeks, counting him out of another two crucial qualifiers.
Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson also remains a major doubt for the game, as he struggles to overcome his problematic ankle injury. What before the World Cup may have been devastating news, is slightly softened by stand-in Olly Barkley's display against the USA, with excellent breaks, good kicking and a well worked try. However, there is still no doubt England would very much miss the Vickery and Wilkinson.
England face South Africa on Friday at 20:00, on ITV1, and are 5/1 with Blue Square.
