Anderton hands in his sicknote

Anderton hopes his injury problems are behind him

By BBC Sport Online's John May

If Darren Anderton was a racehorse, he would have been put out to grass by now.

But, like a true thoroughbred, he is again about to make a late run and come through on the rails to claim a place in an England squad for a major championship.

His selection for Sven-Goran Eriksson's England squad to face Sweden on Saturday comes a year after the last of his 29 caps as a substitute against Italy

Anderton's injury list has become the stuff of football legend, a range of ailments and injuries that would make a medical almanac.

People have had a go about my injuries

Darren Anderton

But despite missing the 2000 European Championships, the 29-year-old has a knack of regaining his fitness just in time for major tournaments.

As he pursues his aim of playing in a second World Cup finals, there are signs Anderton is getting fed up at the reputation his injuries have given him, along with the nickname 'Sicknote'.

"People have had a go about my injuries but not too many have slaughtered me about the way I play," said Anderton.

Since his debut as a Portsmouth substitute against Cardiff in October 1990, Anderton has been recognised as a special talent.

Reputation

His reputation during his formative years at Pompey was as a winger with a good turn of pace and an ability to get in a telling cross from any angle.

He also possessed boundless energy and stamina, a legacy from the days when he was a top schoolboy cross-country runner.

England coach Eriksson has no doubts over Anderton's ability

He almost decided to take that path into sport after being overlooked by home-town club Southampton.

Anderton's role in Pompey's epic run to the 1992 FA Cup semi-final prompted then Spurs boss Terry Venables to pay out £1.75 for him.

When Venables left White Hart Lane to take up the England manager's position he brought Anderton into the full international fold, with a debut against Denmark in March 1994.

But injury dogged Anderton relentlessly.

He recovered from a seven-month absence with a groin injury to play a pivotal role in the England's Euro 96 campaign.

But a catalogue of injuries provided Anderton with a three-season nightmare, during which he made just 39 Premiership appearances between 1995-98.

Along the way in proving his fitness to Glenn Hoddle to win a place in England's France 98 World Cup squad, Anderton re-invented himself.

He moved inside from his wide berth at Spurs to prove his versatility as a pivotal central midfield player.

Highs and lows, I've had plenty of both

Darren Anderton

A recurring Achilles tendon injury plagued him last season, prompting a summer trip to America.

The injury was treated by pricking it to make it bleed and help the healing process, followed by a month with his foot encased in a protective shoe.

"I was low, definitely," he said.

"At that time all I was thinking about was playing football again, let alone playing for England.

"That's all part of football I'm afraid - highs and lows and I've had plenty of both."

Elaborate

He has started every game for Spurs this season, each of which is preceded by an elaborate warm-up to prevent any further strains or pulls.

"I don't take anything for granted but it's nice when I look back to the summer. It's nice to be rewarded.

"Playing for England is something I've enjoyed and I feel lucky to be back."

Sicknote's sick list

November 1992: Hernia operation after joining Spurs. Out six weeks.

October 1994: Torn groin muscle, out five weeks.

August 1995: Hernia operation. misses two weeks

October 1995: Groin injury, out eight months.

June 1996: Groin surgery following Euro 96.

September 1996: Groin injury, five weeks out.

May 1997: Groin operation, plays 16 games all season.

July 1997: Pre-season hamstring injury, misses first four months of season.

December 1997: Knee injury, out four weeks.

February 1998: Groin surgery, out three months.

September 1999: Achilles surgery, out three months.

May 2000: Misses Euro 2000 to recover from Achilles injury.

February 2001: Achilles injury, out three months.