QPR manager Gerry Francis had virtually ruled Les Ferdinand out of England’s match against Holland after he failed a fitness test. The England striker could not play against Barnet in the Coca Cola Cup and he was struggling to be ready for the national duty.
Trevor Francis said “Les could only get up to half pace in his fitness test and he doesn’t really seem to be getting better quickly enough. I’ve spoken to Graham Taylor and it’s not looking too good for the England game. It’s a shame for England and it’s a shame for Les. But there’s nothing you can do about it. It’s too important a game for him to play half fit. It’s England’s most important game in a long time and Les might not last the 90 minutes.”