England manager Roy Hodgson is confident Michael Carrick will be fit for Friday’s Euro 2016 qualifier with Estonia at Wembley, despite missing training on Thursday.
Carrick sat out the morning session at St. George's Park, but the boss is hopeful he will be available for the Three Lions’ last home match in Group E as they look to extend their 100 per cent record this campaign.
However, Liverpool striker Danny Ings looks set to join England captain Wayne Rooney on the sidelines due to injury after they also missed Thursday's session.
England v Estonia
UEFA Euro 2016 Qualifier
7.45pm, Friday 9 October 2015
Wembley Stadium connected by EE
Buy tickets here
Meanwhile, Hodgson was not yet certain if midfielder Jonjo Shelvey would be available for the game after the Swansea City man trained for the first time this week.
"Michael Carrick trained fully in quite an intense training session on Wednesday but he had a re-occurrence of a feeling that he sometimes gets in his groin – a slight tightening of the groin – and we didn’t want to take any chances in what was a fairly light session before the match,” said Hodgson.
“So we decided to rest him for the session on the basis that it will help him be fit for tomorrow night.”
Vice-captain Gary Cahill will lead England out for the first time due to Rooney’s ankle injury, which he picked up playing for Manchester United at the weekend. It will be the first England game he has missed in over two years.
The country's leading scorer, who has not trained all week, will still take centre stage before kick-off on Friday when he is presented with a golden boot by Sir Bobby Charlton.
However, Hodgson indicated that the skipper is unlikely to travel to Lithuania for their final qualifier on Monday, with his fitness for Manchester United's next game a priority.
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“We have been waiting for his ankle injury to settle down,” he continued.
“It is settling down very well and we certainly don’t want to risk him for tomorrow because he has lots of important Manchester United games ahead.
"I would be devastated if we pushed him out there and something happened to increase the problem he has with his ankle.
“So we decided it is better that he doesn’t play in this game.”
He added: "During the time he was receiving treatment for the ankle injury he has been very keen to stay with us, and very keen to be part of our post-match meetings we had in regards to the Switzerland game.
"I am sure he is looking forward to tomorrow, when Sir Bobby Charlton will come out and present him with his golden boot."
Tickets for Friday's game are still available to buy online, visit www.TheFA.com/tickets to secure your seats for the Three Lions' final home Euro 2016 Qualifier.
