• Tottenham striker Peter Crouch succumbs to a back injury
• Phil Jagielka remains doubtful after sitting out training

Peter Crouch has withdrawn from the England squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland due to a back injury, the Football Association have confirmed.

There have been concerns throughout the week over the Tottenham striker’s fitness to take part in either of the matches, to be played on Friday and Tuesday respectively. Crouch’s club manager Harry Redknapp rated his chances as doubtful when he joined up with the England squad on Tuesday after the 29-year-old left the pitch with a rib injury in the second half of Tottenham’s home defeat to Wigan at the weekend.

The England manager Fabio Capello took the precaution of naming an additional striker in his 24-man squad, so when it was confirmed this afternoon that Crouch had returned to Spurs for treatment, there was no requirement for a replacement to be drafted in.

Bobby Zamora was ruled out prior to the squad being announced, leaving Capello to choose from Wayne Rooney, Carlton Cole, Darren Bent and Jermain Defoe, who has recovered from a groin complaint, amongst his striking options.

The FA opted not to make any further injury announcements and with only one goalkeeper, Joe Hart, being fit to train yesterday, the absence of any further disruptions to England’s preparations will be welcome. There is cover for Phil Jagielka, who also sat out training yesterday with an ankle problem which David Moyes revealed made him an extreme doubt following Everton’s defeat at Aston Villa on Sunday.

EnglandEuro 2012Tottenham HotspurFabio CapelloBulgariaguardian.co.uk

• Redknapp still keen on midfielder, but admits deal unlikely
• Spurs manager also keen on Real Madrid’s Lassana Diarra

Harry Redknapp has said he retains an interest in signing Scott Parker from West Ham, though the Tottenham manager is aware any deal may be difficult because the east London club does not want to sell the 29-year-old midfielder.

Redknapp has already had one offer — thought to be in the region of £8m – rejected by West Ham this summer. Asked if Parker’s failure to sign the improved contract on offer from West Ham meant he was still a player under consideration, Redknapp said: “I am saying nothing. I don’t think anything is going to happen with Scott Parker. They don’t want to sell him so …”

Avram Grant, the West Ham manager, is also confident Parker will remain at Upton Park. He said: “I spoke to Harry [yesterday] and he didn’t say anything [about Parker]. He is my friend and I am sure he would have told me. We want to develop young players but we want experienced players as well and Scott is very important to us.”

Redknapp wants to sign a central midfielder and also has Lassana Diarra, who he signed at Portsmouth, in his sights. But the Real Madrid midfielder’s wage demands could thwart any deal, with Redknapp’s options dependent on whether Spurs overturn their 3-2 deficit to Young Boys in the Champions League play-off in the return leg tonight at White Hart Lane.

West Ham UnitedTottenham HotspurTransfer windowJamie Jacksonguardian.co.uk