Ferdinand out and Terry in as Hodgson picks Euro 2012 party
ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson is poised to omit international stalwart Rio Ferdinand and include former captain John Terry, despite his looming trial for alleged racial abuse, when he names his squad for Euro 2012 today.
Hodgson is thought to have acted on concerns that 33-year-old Ferdinand, who has not played for England for almost a year due to persistent injuries, would not be able to cope with the tournament schedule.
The surprise decision could signal the end of Manchester United defender Ferdinand’s international career and points to Chelsea skipper Terry winning a place in the 23-man party for next month’s European Championship.
Major doubts had been raised about the willingness of the two centre-backs to play together, as Terry faces trial in July over allegations he racially abused Ferdinand’s brother, QPR defender Anton, in a Premier League match in October. Terry denies the claims.
Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker is also set to miss out with a toe injury, while other high-profile omissions are expected to include Manchester City defender Micah Richards and experienced Stoke forward Peter Crouch.
Liverpool striker Andy Carroll is poised to make Hodgson’s first squad after the £35m target man recently showed glimpses of the form that made him the most expensive British player of all time.
Hodgson will confirm his selection at this afternoon, when he is likely to face questions about whether Terry’s selection was linked to any reluctance on Ferdinand’s part to resume their long-standing partnership.
Former West Brom, Liverpool and Fulham manager Hodgson is believed to have informed 81-cap Ferdinand of his fate by telephone yesterday before visiting Chelsea’s training ground to speak to Terry.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson voiced his concerns about Ferdinand’s durability at the weekend, saying: “You play something like a game every four days – Rio couldn’t do that.”
Football Association chiefs stripped Terry of the captaincy in February owing to the ongoing criminal proceedings, a move that prompted Fabio Capello to resign as head coach and the FA to recruit Hodgson this month.
Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard is the favourite to be made skipper, while a list of five reserves is expected to include Everton centre-back Phil Jagielka.
Hodgson has also flexed his muscles by scrapping plans for the squad to travel to Malaga, Spain, next week for a training camp, in favour of giving them an extended recuperation period. His first match in charge is a friendly against Norway in Oslo on 26 May, followed by a final Euro 2012 warm-up with Belgium at Wembley on 2 June.