Football: Taylor warns clubs

HAVING already lost Paul Gascoigne, John Barnes, David Seaman and probably Tony Adams from his squad for next month's trip to the United States, Graham Taylor has warned clubs that any other England players being withdrawn by their clubs will have to be examined by a Football Association doctor, writes Norman Fox.

Although Taylor had already won unwritten approval from clubs to have England players independently examined and tested (in return for assuring them that they would have first call after the World Cup finals in 1994 are over), he has never seriously invoked his prerogative. This time, though, he says he has no intention of going to the States with a party made up largely of reserves, as he did when visiting New Zealand shortly after taking over.

Taylor said: 'I don't expect anyone else to pull out but if they do they will need medical clearance from us. The FA is absolutely strong on this. Who has the right to stop players appearing against the likes of Germany and Brazil?'

Asked whether he thought it was fair that players should have such a short summer break, he said: 'Professional footballers after a month are ready to go back.'