Gareth was right to rest players ... I know to my cost

IN the 2002 World Cup quarter-final I was in no fit state to play. I had torn my hamstring in the previous game against Denmark. Ordinarily I wouldn’t have tried but it was potentially the biggest game of my life.

Our manager Sven-Goran Eriksson wanted me to play simply to get in and round the box and use my finishing when I could. But I couldn’t make any of the runs I used to make. I did what I could. I even scored (right), putting us ahead on 23 minutes. But I wasn’t right and ultimately as a team we played poorly and went out, losing 2-1.

We probably would have lost anyway if I had been fit. We’ve spoken about how the shape wasn’t right and how little we created. But we would have had a better chance with everyone fit.

The trouble was we had had three hard group games in searing heat in 10 days. That takes its toll. We had a three-day break and then Denmark in the last 16, where I tore my hamstring. And that, right there, is the reason why Gareth Southgate rested almost everyone on Thursday.

Every game you play in short succession increases your injury risk. So even if Harry Kane had come through Thursday, he would have been a little less sharp for Tuesday. And there would be a greater risk of an injury with tired muscles. Even more so for Kieran Trippier and Dele Alli, who have had strains.

I always thought it took five days to recover properly and feel really fresh. Hopefully the first XI will have two games in five days this week.

And they’ll go into that game having had nine days rest. That in itself justifies the England manager’s decision. I believe it will pay off.