Fabio Capello has sent the England team doctor on a tour of Premier League training grounds to check on the fitness of his players before naming a provisional 30-man squad for the World Cup.
Capello must make his initial selection on Tuesday, May 11, but a number of candidates are still on the treatment table, or have recently returned from injury.
England's chief medical officer, Ian Beasley, will make an important stop at Manchester United's Carrington training complex to check on star striker Wayne Rooney, who returned from a groin injury on Sunday, and centre-back Rio Ferdinand, who is struggling with a persistent back injury.
Beasley will also cast an eye over defenders Wes Brown and Gary Neville, along with midfielder Owen Hargreaves, who returned to action after 18 months out against Sunderland at the weekend, but only as a courtesy.
The England doctor is also expected to visit Liverpool, to check on right-back Glenn Johnson, and Tottenham, to assess winger Aaron Lennon and defender Ledley King.
Lennon was England's first choice winger before he suffered a groin injury in December and has only recently returned as substitute in Spurs last two games. King's chronic knee injuries are well documented but Capello is a big fan of the centre-back and Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp said last week that King could make it through the World Cup if his injury was managed correctly.
Fulham striker Bobby Zamora can also expect a visit. His crucial goals during Fulham's run to the Europa League final has given the 29-year-old an outside chance of an England call-up, but he has aggravated a long-standing Achilles injury.
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