midfielders out

[jayp]

England midfielders Owen Hargreaves and Frank Lampard have been ruled out of Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier with Russia through injury.

Hargreaves suffered a thigh injury in training last Wednesday and was unavailable for the weekend Euro qualifier with Israel at Wembley.

The Manchester United star was thoroughly assessed by the England medical team on Monday and also underwent a scan and a fitness test.

But it was decided he would not be sufficiently recovered in time for the game with the Russians and he has returned to Old Trafford.

Lampard has also returned to Chelsea with his thigh problem meaning he will also be unavailable for the Group E qualifier.

Lampard was always a rank outsider to have recovered sufficiently for the game with Guus Hiddink's side after sustaining his setback in training with Chelsea 10 days ago.

It means that Aston Villa skipper Gareth Barry is again likely to partner Steven Gerrard in midfield after impressing in the 3-0 win over Israel, his first England start for seven years.

Gerrard reported no reaction to playing against Israel with his broken toe and he took a full part in Monday evening's training session with the squad.