The Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has been ruled out of England's friendly with Austria in Vienna on Friday. Hargreaves has only just returned to action after a long-standing tendinitis problem which he sustained while at Bayern Munich, and started for his club against Blackburn on Sunday.

But he is still suffering some discomfort with his knee and following discussions between the United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and England's coach Steve McClaren, it has been decided Hargreaves should remain in Manchester for treatment.

It is still hoped Hargreaves will be available for the Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia at Wembley on November 21. "Owen Hargreaves is recovering from a long-term injury," said an FA spokesman. "Having discussed it with Manchester United, it was felt he should remain in Manchester for treatment until the weekend - with the emphasis on his fitness for the Croatia qualifier."

The obvious implication from that statement is that Hargreaves will link up with the England squad only should Russia fail to win in Israel on Saturday, thus restoring qualification back into the hands of McClaren and his team.

Hargreaves' absence should have no material effect on England's preparation for the Austria friendly. He has not played for his country at all this season - and with captain Steven Gerrard, Gareth Barry and Frank Lampard all available, McClaren still has plenty of options.

The other absentee from training at Arsenal's London Colney complex today was the Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, who has a minor ankle injury and was rested purely as a precaution. The 26-year-old should return to training tomorrow, but the problem only heightens the likelihood of former captain David Beckham winning his 98th cap in the Austrian capital.