Gerrard blow for Sven

Sven-Goran Eriksson's plans for Sunday's international against Denmark were thrown into further disarray today when Steven Gerrard was forced to pull out of the squad with a back injury.

The England coach's striking options could also be severely limited for the friendly at Old Trafford following an injury to Darius Vassell.

The Aston Villa star scored four goals in a match in Dubai yesterday after being given special dispensation to play by the Football Association but picked up a knee injury in the process.

FA spokesman Adrian Bevington said: "After conversations between the Villa and England medical staff, it was agreed that Darius should have a scan before he returns to England. He will therefore not be joining up with the rest of the squad later today."

Eriksson has decided against calling up any replacements at this time but, should Vassell drop out, the England coach will be down to just two strikers in his squad, Emile Heskey and Wayne Rooney, who is himself not 100 per cent fit following a bout of flu.

The Swede decided against selecting Southampton's James Beattie in his original squad and the surprise omission may not come back to haunt him.

The other option is to play Heskey up front with Joe Cole playing as a second striker. It is a position in which he has played earlier in his career at West Ham but Eriksson has used him in a more conventional midfield role in the past.

Gerrard's withdrawal is a particular blow to Eriksson as England have never lost with the Liverpool midfield star in the team. But his international career has been plagued by injuries.

Captain David Beckham is also a doubt because of a back problem. With Frank Lampard certain to start, Gerrard's absence could mean that Charlton's Scott Parker will be given his big opportunity to show what he can do at international level.

Meanwhile, Gareth Southgate said he believed he still had a chance of making the squad for next summer's European Championships despite having to pull out the squad for the Denmark match with a thigh injury. The 33-year-old defender said: "I'm in good form."