How many of England’s absent stars will score for their clubs this weekend?

Paddy Power offer 7/2 on three or more stayaways grabbing goals

Before they surprised most critics by winning 2-1 in Berlin, England’s friendly with Germany was labelled a farce because of the number of regulars who pulled out with injuries.

Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney weren’t criticised too strongly because they had actually missed Manchester United’s game against Stoke but Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard’s withdrawals were met with suspicion after both played ninety minutes last weekend.

Paddy Power have decided to test just how serious these injuries are by opening a market on how many of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole, Ashley Cole and Wes Brown score this weekend.

For none of them to score is 2/1, for one to score is 7/4, for two to score is 5/2 while three or more is 7/2. After the jump is the chickendinner verdict on each player’s likelihood of scoring, although of course it will all depend on how many of them start:

Steven Gerrard: Has scored in his last two home games against Fulham - strong chance

Frank Lampard: No goals in his last six appearances against Newcastle - always poses a penalty threat though

Wayne Rooney: Scored five goals in three games against Aston Villa last season

Rio Ferdinand: His last away league goal came at Villa Park last October

Joe Cole: Hasn’t gone two home starts without a goal this season - didn’t score in his last

Ashley Cole: One goal in 92 league appearances for the club - a very unlikely scorer

Wes Brown: Has never got more than one club goal a season and has already filled his quota this year

Verdict: It depends how much faith you have in most of the players being absent because three have strong goalscoring claims if they start while Rio and Lampard have outside chances.

Posted: November 20th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn |