Yossi: My fitness is only concern Yossi Benayoun claims he is more interested in getting fit than helping England qualify for Euro 2008. Injury means the Liverpool midfielder will stand down as Israel captain on Sunday when they host Russia in a qualifying match where an away win would all but end England's hopes of reaching the finals. Benayoun suffered a groin injury in the victory against Fulham on Saturday and is expected to be out for three weeks. England are looking for Israel to claim a win and keep their hopes alive. Benayoun was expected to play a key role and according to the player his Liverpool team-mates, England duo Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch, are disappointed he is ruled out. "Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch have been driving me crazy in the last few weeks," Benayoun told Israel's Sport 5. "But my health is more important than England's needs and I must rest and take care of myself." http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1776_2877259,00.html
Typical english media reportin on Benayoun's injury casting a doubt over israel's chances of gettin some sort of result against the russians. No mention of him missing the Newcastle away game on the 24th Nov. We're not english, we're scouse comes to mind and that's what the Liverpool fans over in England will hopefully be thinkin because they havent got a chance of qualifyin. Hopefully Yossi is not out for any longer cause we aint missin pennant at the moment due to the way Yossi has been playin the last few games.
Yossi and Pennant are very different players though. I could see Gerrard going right once Alonso is back to cover anyway or even better Gerrard left and Babel right (as he cuts in on his right foot so many times on the left its very readable for a decent right back to handle). Have to admit am happy to see Yossi settling in and getting his game. His performances for Israel have reportedly been mercurial the last few years so they will miss him but do we care ? Hell no. He keeps the ball *slightly* better than Garcia but seems similiar to him in every other area of his game.