ANDERTON OUT OF EURO 2000
The Tottenham midfielder, who signed a one-year extension to his contract in order to remain at White Hart Lane for at least another season, has put his domestic career ahead of his England ambitions, after being warned to rest the injury.
Some Spurs fans have previously criticised Anderton for putting his country first, after starring in Euro 96 and the 1998 World Cup, despite missing much of the league action, through injury, around the time of those tournaments.
However, the ex-Portsmouth man has come to his decision, after consulting surgeon John King, despite the fact that he is likely to play in the final two games of the season for Spurs.
"It means a lot to me to be ready for Tottenham and I will have to pull out of Euro 2000," he told the Evening Standard. "The problem is that, at this time of the season, the grounds are becoming harder and that was only going to aggravate the Achilles.
"It is a blow to ask not to be considered for England," he added. "It means a lot to me to play for my country but I am determined to be fit for August and I didn`t want to make the injury worse by playing on during the summer, if Kevin Keegan had picked me."
Meanwhile, defender Luke Young could miss the European Under-21 finals after cracking a rib during the draw with Derby. The youngster faces a spell on the sidelines, and is certainly out of the final two Premiership matches.
