England were hit with a World Cup injury scare in training on Thursday when Aston Villa full-back Stephen Warnock limped out with a twisted ankle.

Warnock is hoping to play some part in Sunday's friendly against Japan in Graz in order to press his claims for a place in the 23-man squad that Fabio Capello will unveil on June 1.

Although he was rated an outsider to go to South Africa, Leighton Baines' modest display against Mexico on Monday night meant Warnock was still in with a chance of being named as back-up to first choice left-back Ashley Cole.