Missing Klinsmann a fillip for Venables

Football's most famous German may not be at Wembley on Wednesday, but the game's most infamous Englishman should be.

England are hopeful that, after treatment on Saturday night and yesterday, Paul Gascoigne's bruised ankle will have recovered by the semi-final. He is expected to be joined by Tony Adams and Teddy Sheringham, both of whom missed training yesterday.

Adams has been suffering from the effects of his January knee operation throughout the tournament while Sheringham picked up a "dead leg" on Saturday. But Jamie Redknapp, though improving, has not yet recovered from ankle ligament damage. With Paul Ince returning from suspension, this is less of a concern for Terry Venables.

The England coach said of Germany's confirmation as Wednesday's opponents: "We know they are strong, they are favourites, but we are looking forward to it. They are a good side but Croatia made it hard for them. Klinsmann's injury is interesting. We'll see what happens."

Klinsmann has been ruled out of Wednesday's game with a calf injury. The news came as a relief to Venables, who had earlier described him as the "ideal striker". Venables's opposite number, Berti Vogts, said: "England can be happy. Klinsmann will not be able to play."

Of the Germans, Venables said: "They are very mobile. They play five at the back but two or three come from deep to join the attack. I did not think they played very well against the Italians but were still hard to shift. They have outstanding players, their movement is very good.

"I think it will be a titanic struggle. It will be very tight. We'll have to keep our patience and try not to give them too much room. I'm sure they won't give too much to us."

Glenn Hoddle, Venables's successor, watched Germany's victory over Croatia for ITV and he said afterwards: "They are a productive side but they have not set the tournament alight. If Klinsmann is out, that could be significant."

Alex Ferguson, also on ITV, added: "The way Stuart Pearce carried himself yesterday has convinced me [England] will win it. He was different class. There are a number of leaders in the team."

Pearce, who had refused to be carried away after the Dutch win (he cited the 4-1 1987 victory in Yugoslavia as a better performance) admitted: "We did not play well - and we will need to play better in the semi-final."