If Roy Hodgson announces his preliminary England team next week and you don't see Scott Parker's name on the list, it's not because Hodgson doesn't rate the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder. Instead, it's because he might not be fit enough to go to the tournament.

According to a report by The Guardian today, Parker is still being bothered by a chronic Achilles problem and is struggling to get fit for selection for Euro 2012. Parker's last start for the club was on April 21 and he last appeared for a two-minute cameo against Aston Villa last week. He's out for the final game of the season against Fulham, but he could be out well into the summer as well.

This will all but guarantee Gareth Barry a role in England's starting XI in the upcoming tournament, and thanks to injuries to both Jack Wilshere and Jack Rodwell, it leaves England incredibly thin in the middle. Phil Jones might have to play some in the center for the Three Lions in their upcoming friendlies, and some players from smaller Premier League clubs might find themselves in contention for a place. Leon Britton, anyone?