Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp insists England coach Fabio Capello is not in the wrong over Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard's injury.
Capello stood accused of reneging on an apparent agreement to substitute Gerrard after an hour of the match against France.
But the Italian insisted injuries to other players forced him to keep the 30-year-old on the field.
He found an ally in Spurs manager Redknapp - the favourite to succeed him - who backed Capello despite losing both Jermain Defoe and Michael Dawson to long-term injury while they were playing for England back in September.
Redknapp said: "I've never struck a deal.
"Luka Modric has been playing Saturday, midweek, Saturday, midweek.
"He went off and played for Croatia this week but I didn't ring Slaven Bilic and say, 'Slaven, you can only play him half a game'.
"It's a shame for Stevie Gerrard but no one's more patriotic than Stevie. It can happen but it can happen out there in training.
"It's just one of those things."
