Benayoun: Fitness is my only concern - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Benayoun: Fitness is my only concern

Yossi Benayoun claims he is more interested in getting fit than helping England qualify for Euro 2008 after picking up a groin injury that is expected to keep him out for three weeks.

Injury means the Liverpool midfielder will stand down as Israel captain on Sunday when they host Russia in a qualifying match where an away win would all but end England's hopes of reaching the finals.

Benayoun was expected to play a key role, and he told Israel's Sport 5: "Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch have been driving me crazy in the last few weeks. But my health is more important than England's needs and I must rest and take care of myself."

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