England ´keeper Hart out of France match

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart will miss England’s friendly international with France at Wembley on Wednesday evening after injuring his back in training.

His place will likely go to Birmingham’s Ben Foster, leaving Hart to hope he recovers in time for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Fulham.

The 23-year-old has been an ever-present for England since the World Cup, but it was clear he was in trouble in training on Tuesday when he was forced to leave the field in agony, struggling even to stand up.

Fabio Capello hoped the injury would ease during the afternoon, but any improvement has not been sufficient for him to be considered for the match and he was sent back to his club for treatment.

There were England doubts also surrounding Newcastle striker Andy Carroll after his club sent an e-mail to the Football Association (FA) expressing their concern about the player’s fitness.

Capello’s announcement that Carroll would make his England debut against France set alarm bells ringing at St James’ Park.

The Magpies are not convinced Carroll has fully recovered from a groin injury he sustained against Fulham on Saturday and sent a message to that effect to the FA on Tuesday afternoon.

There was no official public response from the FA, and it was unlikely there would be one before Capello unveils his starting line-up an hour before kick-off.