England coach defends Campbell call

England coach Kevin Keegan has defended his decision to call up injured Tottenham star Sol Campbell after a heated telephone discussion the player's club manager George Graham this morning.

Graham has protested to journalists about the inclusion of Campbell in the squad after he tried to pull his player from th line-up following an injury which has kept him out of action for a month.

"George said to me that I can't phone his players but I can. I am not with Newcastle United. We had half an hour on the phone and we agreed to disagree. My record at looking after players has been, with my medical staff, first class. It's a trust thing."

"I don't have a problem with George. I totally respect George but he mustn't blame me for looking at it from England's point of view.

"I do feel it was right for Sol Campbell to report. It is my right as an England manager to have him report for a big game like this. Sol is an important part of England's future. He is 24 years of age."

"I don't want to go into the ins and outs of what George said. I want to get on with managing. There are certain rules there and regulations that if we don't stick to may catch you out.

"My policy is not to keep players here who are no use to you. They might as well go back to their clubs where they can have their treatment. If they come here then we can work in tandem with the clubs."

"There will be occasions when a player isn't fit for his club but may be able to play for England ten days later."

"That was the crux of the conversation I had with George Graham this morning. George said he wasn't match fit but neither is Michael Owen or David Seaman or a couple of others. The chance is for me as England manager to have a look.

"A lot of his arguments make sense. Sol has only played 25 minutes this season. If he is not fit for Tottenham than how can he be fit for England ? Having talked to Sol, Sol told me he had a slight chance. He is such a good player I have to take that slight chance. The player is more optimistic than the medical people."

"A lot of things come into the equation on something like this. We have two different perspectives. He sees it as a Tottenham man. He is paid to look after Tottenham. I have to look at his side of it and I have to look at mine but at the end of the day if the player wants to come, just to see the others maybe then okay. Already it has gone further than it should have done.

"Sometimes a player is injured for Wednesday but may be fit for the following Saturday. If that happens to be an England game so be it.

Campbell, Darren Anderton and defender Rio Ferdinand have all been ruled out of the 27-strong squad with injuries.

"Darren Anderton reported last night and went back to his club. There is no chance he will play. He looks very fit in himself but he is injured" Keegan explained.

"Jamie Redknapp is having an achilles scan. Hopefully he will be alright but to be fair he had had before the game against Arsenal. It's not a new problem."

"Rio Ferdinand has no chance and West Ham have said he is out for between two and three weeks.

"David Seaman is my other main doubt. I have asked him to decide by Thursday on his fitness but he is doubtful."