Four absent from England training

England v Israel
Wembley Stadium
Saturday, 8 September
Kick-off: 1700 BST
Live coverage on BBC One, BBC Radio 5live & the BBC Sport website

Head coach Steve McClaren's England squad trained without four key players ahead ahead of the crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Russia.

Captain John Terry missed the squad's first training session due to illness, ahead of the Group E game against Israel at Wembley on Saturday.

Midfielders Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard did not take part as they have thigh and toe problems respectively.

Owen Hargreaves spent a session in the gym rather than with the other players.

Terry reported to the squad on Monday evening feeling under the weather, but both he and Hargreaves are expected to train on Wednesday.

Gerrard continued his rehabilitation from a broken toe with some gym work, but he has assured McClaren he will be fit for England's crucial double-header.

The Liverpool captain's boss Rafa Benitez, however, has expressed doubt as to whether Gerrard would be fit to face both Israel and Russia four days later.

Lampard was always a major doubt after sustaining a thigh muscle tear in training with Chelsea on Friday.

The midfielder did link up with the England squad as planned last night but after a quick assessment by the FA's medical staff, the 29-year-old was sent back to Chelsea.

He will report once more on Saturday for a reassessment of the injury but it seems unlikely Lampard will be fit in time to face Russia.

Everton defender Joleon Lescott took part in his first England training session and recalled striker Emile Heskey was involved for the first time in three years.

Israel squad for Euro 2008 qualifier against England on 8 September at Wembley:

Aouate, Davidovitch, Strauber, Ben Haim, Benado, Gershon, Ziv, Sprungin, Saban, Strul, Antebi, Benayoun, Badier, Alberman, Tal, Zandberg, Yamuz, Itzhaki, Golan, Balili, Collauti, Barda, Katan.