ENGLAND'S coach, Glenn Hoddle, is to test the Premier League clubs' commitment to England's cause with a nine-day buildup to the World Cup qualifier against Poland at Wembley on October 9th.
Hoddle, who will announce his squad on Friday week, plans to get the players together at lunchtime the following Tuesday. Normally they would report for duty on the Thursday night and begin training the morning after.
Clearly Hoddle feels he has to maximise the time available if England are to qualify for France in 1998. Despite an encouraging 3-0 win in Moldova he knows that more difficult fixtures against Poland, Georgia and Italy lie ahead.
All of his predecessors have complained about not having long enough to be prepared for important matches.
Some of those who dropped out, moreover, resumed playing on their return. While the likes of Steve McManaman, Robbie Fowler and Steve Howey were carrying injuries, the feeling is growing that the Football Association should introduce a rule barring a man who cannot appear for his country from playing in his club's next fixture.
This might not be a wise step. Hoddle needs to keep the managers on his side and they will not be overjoyed at the prospect of losing their players to England for nine days. Gerry Francis, the Tottenham manager, complained about the handling of Teddy Sheringham's injury before the Moldova match.
Hoddle looks like losing Sheringham and possibly Darren Anderton, as well as Nottingham Forest's Steven Stone, for the Poland game. If he does not suffer further withdrawals it will be a surprise.
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