Manchester United's Owen Hargreaves has been ruled out of England's opening World Cup qualifiers, adding to Fabio Capello's problems in midfield.

Hargreaves will play in tonight's Super Cup match against Zenit St Petersburg in Monaco even though he is recovering from tendinitis in his knee. But boss Sir Alex Ferguson says Hargreaves will not be fit to face Andorra and Croatia next week.

Capello has already lost Steven Gerrard after he underwent a groin operation this week and Ferguson said: "Owen will not be ready as he needs recovery time as well."

England begin their 2010 qualifying campaign against Andorra next Saturday before travelling to Croatia four days later. Capello mentioned Hargreaves, 27, as a serious candidate to play following his side's disappointing 2-2 draw with Czech Republic at Wembley this month.

Ferguson added: "Anyone could play against Andorra. But Croatia is different - you need players who are 100 per cent.

"I think it [the England games] will be too early for him. He is not ready for that."

• Live on ITV 1 7.30pm